Sir, In response to the questions raised recently by Father Griffin, PP, of Waterville about the computerisation programme underway in An Post, we are delighted to provide information to your readers on the current status of this huge task.
The £36 million first phase of our computerisation programme, involving 1,200 counter positions in our 600 busiest offices, was completed by the end of June. These 600 offices, over 500 of which are sub post offices, serve 84 per cent of our customers and this investment was made possible by the support of our main agency customers, the Department of Social Welfare and the National Treasury Management Agency.
Phase 2 of our programme involves an investment of £5.2 million in computerising a further 400 sub-post offices over the next 18 months. These offices, all of which are located in rural areas, serve 12 per cent of our customers. EU funding has enabled us to extend computerised facilities to these post offices.
By December 1997, when this phase is complete, we will have the best and most widely distributed post office computer system in Europe. We will then determine the technological requirements of the remaining 900 post offices servicing the remaining four per cent of our customers.
Given the level of investment involved in our computerisation programme, it is logical that it be approached on a phased basis. It also makes sense to start with the busier offices serving the vast majority of our customers, and this has been the basis of our selection. Yours, etc., Public relations manager, An Post/General Post Office, O'Connell Street, Dublin 1.