Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 379: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of post offices closed naturally since 2000; the number closed in County Cork; the number of post offices which have been downgraded to post-point nationally and in County Cork; the number of post offices awaiting a computer system; and the status of the pilot project being carried out by An Post regarding computerisation. [32089/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The matters of post office closures and the automation of post offices are, in the first instance, operational matters for the Board and management of An Post and ones in which I have no function. In relation to Postpoint, this is a separate non-post office network and therefore not operated directly by An Post.

I understand that the total number of post offices that have closed nationwide since the year 2000 is 241 while the number that have closed in County Cork, including Cork City, is 32.

In relation to the status of the pilot project on automation, I understand that it was finalised at the end of September 2006. I understand that the company will now review the data and assess the impact of the trial at the offices concerned in relation to various factors including additional costs of automation, additional levels of business and revenues generated as well as displacement of business. It is my understanding that the question of extending automation to non-automated offices will be guided by the outcome of the evaluation process, which I have been informed, should be completed by the first quarter of 2007.