Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will follow up on a question as a few members are in the Seanad. We had representatives of the Irish Postmasters' Union, IPU, in before us and an urgent issue they raised concerning the €10 million package, or €30 million over three years, which is very welcome, was that postmasters have to give six months' notice if they intend not to stay on and are retiring. The end of June was a critical date because, I understand, the current pandemic payment ends at the end of December. I am a little worried the meeting to deal with the construct of the €10 million will not happen until mid-July. There is concern there will still be a degree of uncertainty and many postmasters may be forced into a situation where they will give notice they will retire before the end of June. I need clarity on that. The key fundamental question raised was why it was so urgent that it would be announced. What is the position on that, as people need to have some indication of the level of funding they will get?