Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the importance of the rural post offices here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25402/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The operation of An Post's post office network is a matter for the board and management of the company and not one in which I have a statutory function. However, I do appreciate the importance of the rural post office infrastructure in particular. The Government's core policy goal for the postal sector is to ensure that Irish customers, both business and residential, enjoy competitively priced, high quality postal services. The Government is committed to a strong and viable An Post and supports its maintenance of the maximum number of economically viable post offices.

Decisions regarding the delivery of social welfare payments are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection.