Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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185. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps taken under the programme for Government commitment to act swiftly on the recommendations of the Post Office Network Business Development Group, and expand provision into areas such as motor tax and a new e-payment account; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29051/16]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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186. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of times the Post Office Network Renewal Working Group has met; the number of meetings scheduled for the remainder of 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29052/16]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together.

The final report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group, which was published in January of this year, made a number of recommendations to support the future sustainability of post offices. These include recommendations in relation to the renewal of the post office network, the development of a basic payment account, the provision of motor tax services, and the creation of hubs around which local economic and social activity could revolve. The report also recommended that An Post should, following appropriate consultation with postmasters and others, review and amend the five-year strategy for the post office network.

The Programme for a Partnership Governmentcommits to acting on the recommendations in the report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group. A number of Working Groups have been established to progress the recommendations, including through the establishment of a Network Renewal Implementation Group, which is being independently chaired by Mr Bobby Kerr. This Group will continue to meet monthly in order to examine 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.

I have separately established the Post Office Hub Working Group, to identify potential models under which the post offices could act as community hubs, especially in rural areas. This group has identified 3 potential options around the hub concept and I expect to be in a position to report back to Government on the work of this group in the near future with a view to establishing a number of pilot projects.

My officials are also examining the potential for the post offices to deliver services such as motor tax payments and a basic payment account. My Department is continuing to work closely with Mr Kerr and the Network Renewal Implementation Group to ensure that all actions contained in the final report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group are considered by Government, once sufficiently advanced.