Andrew Doyle, Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/Carlow East has urged all parties involved in the Post Office Network Business Development Group set up by Government to identify how more business can be delivered through Post Offices.
“I am very pleased that work on exploring the future role of Post Offices in Wicklow and across the country will commence today (Wednesday) with representatives from An Post, the Irish Post Union, and the Government. The group will be independently chaired by Bobby Kerr and I wish him all the very best in his role. I would also like to acknowledge the work carried out by former Minister Pat Rabbitte on this matter.
“The Post Office Network Business Development Group was announced by Government last month to explore how additional business can be delivered through Post Offices, to ensure a sustainable future for the service. The IPU represents 1,100 Postmasters across the country; particularly in rural areas where they represent the heart beat of the community. It goes without saying that the post office is an essential and much appreciated part of every Irish rural and urban community that has one, both for the post supplies and the welfare and financial services that they provide.
“It is also clear that the world has changed since the post office system was set up in the mid-1800s to provide a post and savings bank service to the public. People rely more on email now than letter writing for example.
“All parties must work in a clear and decisive way to address how Post Offices can continue to be critical to the delivery of a range of viable services ranging from the establishing a methodology for the delivery of Post Office Social Welfare payments. Additional services which Postmasters are keen to validate include: a basic banking / payments account, motor tax renewals, driver licence renewals, Local Authority payments, lodgements and withdrawals for Credit Unions, hospital charges, electronic form generation, insurance quotations and pension savings.
“I look forward to supporting The Business Development Group in any way possible and a preliminary report, due by the end of March will be the first major milestone. It is very important to be cognisant of the fact that Post Offices are the largest retail network in the country with 1,150 Offices, employing 3,700 people with high end IT facilities already in place in all Offices.”
ENDS