Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for attending. I also thank Ms O'Hora for her great work. I do not think there is a grouping of Deputies in Leinster House with more concern about the post office network than the Regional Independent Group. In the term of this Dáil we have introduced three Private Members' motions in October 2020, July 2021 and May 2022, which the Government accepted. Today is largely a good day. I welcome the Minister of State's announcement of an annual subvention of €10 million. It begins to recognise the social value of the post office network.

I support Senator Dooley's call that the subvention would not be given to post offices owned by An Post - it has enough resources to manage its own business. It should be kept for the private ownership within the post office network which is where it is most needed. The Minister of State mentioned several times that the subvention is to be given through An Post and then on to the individual postmasters. I ask her to confirm that no PRSI will be applicable if it comes through An Post and is paid to the postmasters. Will it transfer to the individual postmasters without a tax implication?