Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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68. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding post offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21720/17]

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. A fundamental review of An Post, including the post office network, which will identify the strategic changes and restructuring necessary to maintain the company on a sound financial footing is ongoing. Regarding the provision of new services in post offices, there are opportunities to develop new or enhanced product lines for the network including the concept of 'digital assist' whereby the Post Office would become a default option for the provision of Government services for those who are not comfortable in the digital space.  These opportunities will be assessed by An Post in the context of the current strategic review.

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.  That Department published the Final Report of the Post Office Hub Working Group in March in which it was outlined that they are pursing the possible opportunities for services such as community banking and motor tax renewal for the network. Arrangements are in hand to reassign responsibility for the post office network to my Department given my overall responsibility for An Post and the recommendations of the Post Office Hub Working Group will continue to be finalised.

Decisions in relation to the operation of the post office network are operational matters for the Board and management of An Post and not ones in which I, as Minister, have a statutory function.  Nonetheless, I will continue to monitor the position closely.