Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

132.To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there are proposals to expand the range of services available through the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35658/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

An Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to act commercially. An Post has statutory responsibility for the State's postal service and the post office network. The Government is committed to a sustainable future for An Post and the post office network as they provide a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout Ireland. The Government recognises the importance of the high-value and high-quality post office network to our citizens throughout the country as well as the central and trusted role of postmasters in our communities. My Department is providing funding of €10 million per annum from within its existing capital provision over a three-year fixed term, from 2023 to 2025, to An Post to support a sustainable, nationwide post office network in line with the commitment in the programme for Government. The funding provides time and space for An Post to accelerate the transformation and commercialisation of the network to ensure a relevant and commercially viable network delivering more services to citizens and small businesses.

An Post, including through the post office network, provides important services to its customers and is contracted to provide key government services to citizens. These include banking services, social welfare and State savings as well as SME services and support. Decisions relating to the network, including actively seeking new business and exploring opportunities to develop new or enhanced product lines, are operational matters for the board and management of the company and not matters in which I have an immediate function. We have a keen interest and are working closely with the company to ensure it has a viable and diverse business into the future.