Ballaghaderreen Post Office will be one of ten post offices nationwide to introduce the new Digital Assist Pilot programme following the official launch of the programme by Minister Denis Naughten in Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare on Monday.
Speaking at the unveiling of the first kiosk, Minister Naughten said: “The specially designed units offer citizens the chance to navigate Government websites with the help of trained post office staff. In addition customers can print Government application forms and information brochures free of charge”.
Minister Naughten said the local post office was the ideal place to pilot the programe.
“Earlier this year I asked An Post to develop the concept of ‘Digital Assist’ whereby the Post Office would provide a gateway to online Government services for people. Government funding of €80,000 has been provided by the Minister for Community and Rural Development Michael Ring to help with rolling out the Digital Assist pilot scheme.
“The local post office is best placed to provide support for people who do not want to go online to carry out their day to day business. Representing the largest retail network in Ireland, the network of post offices is the obvious choice as the access point for citizens with its reach, trusted brand and existing strong relationship in our local communities”.
IPU General Secretary Ned O’Hara welcomed the initiative: “Postmasters support An Post and Government initiatives which add to transactions and offerings to the public at post offices.
“We need to now continue to build on services and offerings at our post offices. There are further services that have been committed by An Post which include: motor tax, vehicle registration and driving licences, identity verification and additional bill pay services.
“The IPU would like to also see these rolled out as soon as possible,” Mr. O’Hara concluded.
