Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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291. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he is committed to the retention of the post office network and delivery service throughout the country, including next day deliveries and the provision of additional services suitable for administration through An Post, thereby enhancing future viability of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11052/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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294. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which any examination has been done to ascertain the full extent to which the post office system may be adapted using modern technology to provide a complimentary range of services to those provided through An Post throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11056/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 291 and 294 together.

It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high quality postal service and maintain a nationwide network of customer focused post offices in the community.

Under the Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Act 2011, An Post is statutorily required, as the designated universal service provider, to provide a universal postal service and the essential element of this obligation is the collection and delivery of mail to every address in the State on every working day.

The post office network faces significant challenges given the impact of the economic downturn over the last few years, changes in technology and customer retail preferences. However, post offices, having being fully computerised some years ago, also stand 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.

The recently established Post Office Network Business Development Group is examining the potential from existing and new Government and commercial business that could be transacted through the post office network and identifying the new business opportunities for the post office network, taking account of international experience.

The Group’s work will be of strategic importance to the future of the post office network. I expect to receive the interim and final reports of the Group later this year.