Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is stated on page 48 of the programme for Government that social welfare payments at post offices will continue to be encouraged. Just last week, the Irish Postmasters Union called for a long-term commitment that these payments will continue to be transacted through our post offices. It also called for a timeline for new services under the investment plan for post offices to be made available as soon as possible. Will the Taoiseach give a long-term commitment that social welfare payments will continue to be transacted through our post offices? Will he intervene with An Post to ensure a detailed plan and a timeline for the new services to be made available in our post offices are put into the public domain as soon as possible? We must do all we can to protect all our post offices. They play a vital role in our communities and feed into the economic activity in our towns and villages. It is vital that every step is taken to protect them and I call on the Taoiseach and the Government to do just that.

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