Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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633. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action he has taken with regard to the six-point action plan put forward by the Irish Postmasters Union to sustain the post office network and support local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24998/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The six point action plan by the Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) aligns with this Government’s consistent message that a strong, modern and commercially viable post office network, that is responsive to changing consumer choices, is essential for urban and rural communities alike.I established the Post Office Network Business Development Group earlier this year, on which the IPU is represented. The terms of reference for the group are to examine the potential from existing and new Government and commercial business that could be transacted through the post office network; identify the new business opportunities for the network, taking account of international experience; engage as necessary with the public sector, commercial bodies and other interested parties in pursuit of the aforementioned objectives; and prepare an interim and final report for the Minister in accordance with an agreed timetable.

The work of the group will be of strategic importance to the future of the post office network and I look forward to it concluding its deliberations later this year. In the meantime, I published the initial report of the group for consultation on 16 June, the results of which will contribute to the final report in due course. The consultation runs until 28 July 2015 and details are available through the following link on my Department’s website: .

It is in everyone's interest that we have a sustainable post office network, one which meets the needs of the consumer first and foremost. Our collective challenge will be to ensure the future services offered by An Post and the postmasters place the company on a sound financial footing.