Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a State-aid grant that will be paid through the post office.

Earlier I mentioned offline services. It has been made very clear that the report will not be a silver bullet hence the real need to have a financial package in place while those services are being identified but not just one Department, not just my Department and not just the Department of Transport. For example, the Department of Transport is considering the possibility of motor tax but it will take time to roll that out and assess feasibility. Revenue has considered the potential of possible services. The Department of Social Protection is also considering further services for the post office network. All of that work forms part of our Towns First strategy and there must be a whole-of-government approach when it comes to the provision of offline services. I agree with everything that the Deputy has said and how a certain number of people do all of their business online. Offline services must be available and need a whole-of-government approach and in the meantime a financial package is in place to protect the post offices that are in danger of closing.