Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 193: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if consideration has been given to the provision of banking services through An Post and the post offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20322/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 193 together.

The Government and the board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network as set out in the programme for Government. The post office network has been the subject of a number of studies and reviews in recent years. Many of the recommendations arising from these reviews have been implemented, with particular regard to winning new business, including extra banking and new utility business. An Post has started working on a new business model for the post office network, which will involve a substantial upgrade of IT systems in order to offer electronic funds transfer, EFT, functionality to social welfare recipients and a wider suite of financial and other services to new and existing customers.

There is widespread recognition that the best strategy to sustain the post office network is for An Post to continue adapting to customer needs with a view to retaining existing customers, while at the same time developing services to attract new customers. This strategy is already being followed with some success.