Ms Sandra Tormey:

Currently, we have 108 postmasters who, when we take all the costs out, are earning less than the minimum wage. Recently, I polled my members and if the Government funding stays the same - at €10 million - 40% of them will have to close. We have had to absorb 30% minimum wage increases and 15% inflation. We cannot increase our prices to make our businesses viable. We cannot avail of any of the supports Government services give because the Government deems us as service providers not retailers so we are absorbing all these costs.

If the Government funding becomes €15 million, 70% of our postmasters say they can see a future for the next five years. We are looking for an uplift of €5 million. That is the difference between 40% of post offices around the country closing or 70% saying they have a future.