Post office network measures
Deputy Stanley raised commitments to act on post office business group recommendations and protect mail centres and jobs. Minister Naughten said the Government had already secured the universal postal service, other financial-service issues were being handled by another Minister, and a memorandum would go to Government soon.
I refer to a commitment on page 48 of the programme for Government, namely, that the new Government will act swiftly on the recommendations of the post office business group. It goes on to outline the steps involved, including those involving credit unions, the Sparkasse model of banking in Germany, motor tax and establishing hubs. The idea is to bring business to the post office network. There are mail centres in Portlaoise, Athlone, Cork and Dublin, staff in at least two of which are questioning their future. In excess of 200 workers are employed in the mail centre in Portlaoise.
Comment on this
We have had the Kerr and McKinsey reports and there is a commitment on page 48 of the programme for Government, but we need to see action which I acknowledge should have been taken by previous Governments. This is something we should have done ten or 15 years ago. We cannot keep dragging our heels. We must move to secure the future of the service.
Comment on this
We are not dragging our heels. As the Deputy knows, within months of being appointed as Minister, I brought a Bill through the House, facilitated by Members of the Oireachtas, to ensure we could retain the five-day a week universal postal service across the country. The Sparkasse model and the financial services aspect are being dealt with by the Minister, Deputy Michael Ring.
On the other issues raised by the Deputy, I expect to bring a memorandum to the Government within the next few weeks. The Government has already had a discussion on motor tax.