Joanna Byrne (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and the Minister and Minister of State for joining us again. I know it has not been too long since they were here previously, so I do not have much. I have a couple of questions I would like to tease out. I will start with the Minister of State and the post office network. He will be aware that its representatives appeared before the committee some weeks ago, and they were vocal and clear in their request to the Government for a €15 million support package this year to remain open and viable predominantly, but not just, in rural areas.

That lobby is coming at all of us as Members to be here to sing the same tune as them. The Minister mentioned that there is Government commitment to keep the network going, and I am aware the Department has provided funding of €10 million a year for the past three years. Is there any consideration in the Government at the moment to increase this to the €15 million or does the Department envisage it will remain at €10 million this year and for the foreseeable future?