Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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1287. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to secure the future of post offices with particular reference to post offices in Fingal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20252/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong, viable company in a position to provide a high quality, nationwide postal service and that it maintains a nationwide customer-focused network of post offices in the community

As Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I have responsibility for the postal sector, including the governance of An Post, to ensure the company is fully compliant with the code of practice for the governance of State bodies and the governance functions included in the statutory framework underpinning An Post.

On foot of a reconfiguration of Government Departments in July last year, responsibility for the post office network transferred to the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Arrangements are in hand to reassign this responsibility to my Department given my overall responsibility for An Post.

The operation of the post office network is an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and not one in which I, as Minister, have a statutory function.