Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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361. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for the utilisation of postal services, counter services and the postal network generally through the amalgamation of suitable and complimentary services available through An Post in all areas thought the country thereby maximising the benefit and viability of the network and the continued delivery of services effectively and efficiently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6067/17]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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362. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is satisfied that adequate extra services can be added to the portfolio of An Post with a view to utilisation of the national network of post offices, sub post offices and counter services to maximum capacity on a nationwide basis, urban and rural, notwithstanding the challenge of electronic communications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6068/17]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 361 and 362 together.

The postal sector is undergoing significant change both nationally and internationally, with the increased use of electronic communications leading to a 38% decline in core mail volume for An Post from its peak in 2007. In recent years, there has also been a 17% decline in Department of Social Protection payments and a 20% reduction in Billpay transactions, both of which are key revenue lines for the post office network.

While these are ultimately commercial matters for the Board and management of An Post, as a commercial State body, the Government has stated its commitment to working with all stakeholders to find solutions to the ongoing sustainability of the post office network in the context of the changing business environment in which they are operating.

The Post Office Network Business Development Group, chaired by Mr. Bobby Kerr, was established in late 2014 to examine the potential for 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 Business Development Group, which was published in January of last 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 Government commits to acting on the recommendations in the report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group. A number of Working Groups were established to progress the recommendations, one of which was a Network Renewal Implementation Group, which was chaired by Mr Bobby Kerr on behalf of An Post. This Group examined a number of issues, including 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. Mr. Kerr submitted his report to An Post in December 2016.

I 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. I chaired a number of meetings of this Group, which has now concluded its deliberations. The Group’s report is currently being finalised and I intend to make this report available to the Government as soon as possible.

My officials have also been examining the potential for the post offices to deliver other services, including options for the renewal of motor tax. A number of potential options for this service have been identified and proposals are currently being finalised in consultation with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.