Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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165. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether post offices provide more than economic value, and also have major social and community values (details supplied). [33471/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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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.

A public consultation exercise was conducted from 16 June to 28 July this year on the Initial Report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group. A total of sixteen responses were received and a summary of these have been published on my Department's website.

It is clear from the responses that there is a strong public desire to maintain the nationwide network of post offices and see the role played by it in local communities enhanced. While An Post remains a trusted brand, the company will need to further diversify into areas such as financial services and maintain its position within communities by developing attractive products and services that the customers want and need.

The final report of the Group, which I expect to receive later in the Autumn, will further inform decisions on future development of the network.