Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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438. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on proposals (details supplied) from the Irish Postmasters Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31110/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Securing the future viability of the post office network in the longer term will entail the network continuing to modernise, as it is doing, to provide the services that its customers require. An Post has undertaken a programme of capital investment particularly in the computerisation of the post office network including the automation of all post offices. As a result, the post office network stands well positioned to become the front office provider of choice for Government and the financial services sector for both electronic transactions as well as the more traditional over the counter transactions. Any such developments would need to be subject to public procurement requirements as appropriate.

Proposals for a whole-of-government review of the scope for providing additional public services through local post offices were presented to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy at its meeting on 28 April 2014. Government Departments were subsequently requested to write to my Department identifying any relevant additional services that could be discharged through the post office network by 27 May 2014. My Department is now examining the initial responses received with a view to engaging in further discussions with Departments as necessary and to submitting a final report to the Cabinet Committee in September.