Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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150. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to hold discussions with the banking sector regarding the provision of additional financial services through An Post, in view of the concerns in rural communities in which bank branches are closing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36265/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to PQ 19081/17, which was answered on 13 April 2017.

I should stress at the outset that the Irish Government has no formal role in the commercial decisions of the banks as to their future business model and whether or not they will close particular branches.

 The Deputy will no doubt appreciate that the provision of services by banks, including the location of branches, is a commercial decision for the Boards and management of the institutions.

That said, I expect that any bank closing branches will do everything that it can to mitigate the impacts of the branch closures on local communities, including technology and the use of alternative means of service delivery. I also expect that the bank will ensure that customers are kept informed about developments and provided with the appropriate assistance to move branches, switch to other banks and avail of alternative means of accessing financial services. The Central Bank will also have a role in ensuring that consumer protection rules are followed.

In the context of the closures announced earlier this year, I understand that Ulster Bank intends extending its services with An Post to include cash and cheque lodgements for personal and business customers where the bank is closing branches.

The Deputy may be interested to hear that An Post recently announced that they are providing a new current account service, the An Post Smart Account to the public. This offers a number of features to its account holders. Consumers can apply for an account online or in any Smart Account Post Office.