Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to make grant aid available for rural post offices to ensure their computerisation, including the provision of Internet availability to the public; his views on whether this would help address the information divide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23194/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The primary responsibility for the development of the post office network rests with An Post. The automation of the network was completed in 1997 and it has only been in exceptional circumstances — such as an existing automated office closing and its equipment being transferred to a suitable neighbouring location which transacts significant volumes of welfare business — that further offices have been automated since then.

The automated network accounts for more than 95% of An Post's counter business. This means that the 1,000 automated offices transact 95% of counter business while 475 non-automated offices undertake 5% of business. Nevertheless, An Post is now moving to undertake a pilot project, which would see ten manual post offices automated, to gauge the effect on business. Furthermore, An Post is undertaking a fundamental reappraisal of the post office network. The objective of this exercise is to build on existing strengths in terms of nationwide network, strong brand recognition and high footfall, and to devise a suite of products and services to meet current and future needs of post office customers. This strategy will provide the road map for future service delivery throughout the network. In a separate initiative, the company is working with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs on a project to automate nine island post offices.

At this point, An Post has no plans to provide Internet access to the public through the rural post office network. However, with the rollout of e-government services, the automated element of the post office network is ideally placed to capitalise on opportunities arising in this space, especially in the area of e-payments. A core objective for An Post continues to be the retention of access to post office services in as many locations as possible, in the manner which best meets customer needs, whether services are provided via post offices, postal agencies or the PostPoint network.