Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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519. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the report from the post office network renewal working group will be published; the reasons for the delay to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26753/16]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The post office network plays an important role in serving the needs of business and domestic customers alike. However, the postal sector is undergoing systemic change both nationally and internationally, with the increased use of electronic communications leading to a decline in core mail volumes year on year.

The Post Office Network Business Development Group, chaired by Mr. Bobby Kerr, was established in 2014 to examine the potential from new and existing Government and commercial business that could be transacted through the post office network, and to identify new business opportunities for the network.

The final report of the Group, which was published in January of this year, made a number of recommendations to support the future sustainability of the post office network, including network renewal. A Post Office Network Renewal Implementation Group was established to progress this particular recommendation. The Implementation Group is an independent group chaired by Mr. Kerr and includes representatives of An Post and the Irish Postmasters Union. The Group has been examining issues such as the number and spatial distribution of Post Offices, branch modernisation, the streamlining of products and services, postmaster payments and contracts, and training and qualifications for post office employees.

Some of the issues under consideration are quite complex in nature, but I understand that the Group should be in a position to finalise its work shortly. It is intended that the work of Post Office Network Renewal Implementation Group will be communicated directly to the Board of An Post in the first instance for its consideration.