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For Oral Answer on : 16/11/2023
Question Number(s): 45 Question Reference(s): 50212/23
Department: Environment, Climate and Communications
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications to report on his plans for the further development of postal policy in the state; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
An Post is a commercial State body and has statutory responsibility for the State’s postal service and the post office network.
The Government is committed to a sustainable An Post and post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout Ireland. The company is working to return to a stable financial footing after the combined impacts of Brexit and the pandemic, and develop strategies to grow its business against a backdrop of e-substitution of mail and the growth of a cashless society.
My Department is providing funding of €10 million per annum from within its existing capital provision over a three-year fixed term, 2023-2025, 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, commercially viable network delivering more services to citizens and small businesses.
The Government recognises the importance of the high quality post office network to our citizens across the country, as well as the central and trusted role of postmasters in our communities. An Post, including through the post office network, provides important services to its customers and is contracted to provide key Government services to citizens. An Post will continue actively to seek new business and explore opportunities to develop new or enhanced product lines for the network.
