Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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23. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will honour the commitment that a five-year strategy and pilot service hub post offices would be in place by July 2016 which the chairperson (details supplied) of the Post Office Network Business Development Group made at the launch of its report in January 2016; of the commitment in the programme for Government to consider enabling the payment of motor tax at post offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11766/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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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.

The Final Report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group, published in January, clearly sets out the challenges that An Post and Postmasters face as they ensure that the network remains relevant in the context of an ongoing shift in consumer preferences, including the trend towards digital transactions.

The Report recommended that An Post should, following appropriate consultation with Postmasters and others, review and amend the five-year strategy for the Post Office Network.  A number of working groups have been established, including a Network Renewal Implementation Group, which is being independently Chaired by Mr Bobby Kerr. This Group is examining the number and spatial distribution of branches, branch modernisation, the streamlining of products and services, postmaster payments and contracts, and training and qualifications for post office employees. An Post and the Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) are members of the Group, which is of fundamental importance to the long term future of the Network. I understand that good progress has been made and in a collaborative environment and that work remains ongoing in the Group. 

The Programme for Government commits to acting on all of the recommendations of the Final Report including supporting the implementation of a Basic Payment Account and enabling the payment of motor tax through the post office network. My officials have been actively engaging with other Departments and agencies on these issues over the past six months.

Responsibility for implementation of the recommendations in the Final Report will shortly transfer to the Minister forRegional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht.