Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 109: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the Government strategy on the post office network; if he will provide the full list of the closures to date in 2006 and the number of post offices, sub-post offices and postal agents on 1 January and 21 November 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38847/06]

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

As set out clearly in the Programme for Government, this Government and the Board of An Post are committed to the objective of ensuring the continuation of a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network.

In line with this objective, I asked the company to ensure that any strategy for the development of the company should ensure the long-term viability of the post office network. It is in this context that the Government recently gave approval for An Post to enter into a joint venture with Fortis, with a view to providing a variety of financial services through the post office network and improving income for both An Post and postmasters.

The closure of individual post offices is in the first instance a matter for the board and management of the company and one in which I have no function. According to An Post the following is the full list of closures to date in 2006.

The number of post offices, sub-post offices and postal agents in existence on 1 January and 21 November 2006 is set out in the table below.