Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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168. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to implement the recommendations in a report (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10818/17]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The report in question was published in January 2016 and made a number of recommendations to support the future sustainability of post offices.

Two Working Groups were established to progress the recommendations. The first Group examined 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. Arising out of the Group’s work, a report was submitted to An Post for their consideration on 23 December 2016.

A separate Working Group was established to identify potential models under which the post offices could act as community hubs, especially in rural areas. This Group has completed its work and I will report to Government shortly on its findings.