Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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593. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when developments from the post office network business development group will be forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40195/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The Post Office Network Business Development Group, the remit of which is to examine the potential from existing and new Government and commercial business that could be transacted through the Post Office network, presented its initial report to me in May 2015. In summary, the initial report outlined that the future of the Post Office network would be best secured by seeking out opportunities in the following areas: financial services, including services delivered by the Department of Social Protection, and basic banking for the unbanked; Government services; social capital and enterprise; and white labelling of financial and other products.

- To gain further insight into these areas, a public consultation exercise was held from 16 June to 28 July last, inclusive. Interested parties were invited to submit their views on the initial report. It is clear from the responses received that there is a strong public desire to maintain the nationwide network of post offices. The consultation responses are assisting the Group in identifying opportunities that can benefit the post office network and will inform the final report, which I expect to receive presently.

- It is premature to speculate, in advance of receiving the final report, on future developments until I have had the opportunity to consider in detail the findings of the Group.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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594. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will consider An Post offering basic low-cost current account banking as a utility, as banks are looking at restricting the counter service facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40276/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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An Post is keen to explore new business opportunities for the post office network. The company has the largest retail nework in the country and was fully computerised some years ago. As a result, the post office network can fill a vital role in the nationwide provision of over-the-counter services to the public, state services and other financial and commercial transactions.

With regard to the provision of banking services, one of the areas highlighted in the Initial Report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group was seeking out opportunities in the financial services areas, including basic banking for the unbanked.

In advance of receiving the Final Report of the Group, which I expect to receive presently, it would be premature to speculate on future developments until I have had the opportunity to consider in detail the findings of the Group.