Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Post offices are a vital part of our communities, providing access to public services and supporting communities and small businesses. My small family business is wholly reliant on An Post. I cannot say enough about what an amazing service it is. It is one of the best in the country.

I thank the Regional Group for raising the importance of post offices again. I say "again" because we discussed the role of the network as a rural economic lifeline service back in October. There seems to be unanimous agreement on this issue. We all value the social and economic role of post offices, especially in rural areas.

Therefore, why are we having this discussion? We understand the importance of post offices. We are aware of the immediate issue facing the network and we have solutions. Why is the Government not doing what is necessary? In 2018, post offices moved to a new contract to modernise the service, involving a two-year transition, including payments, to allow new services to replace the consequential loss of revenue. According to the IPU, none of these additional services has materialised and the transformation payments are ending, leaving up to 200 post offices at risk of shutting down.

The research is clear. The Government must introduce annual PSO funding of €17 million. Not only would this intervention ensure the preservation of a vital community service, it would make economic sense with the network providing a social value of at least €344 million.

For an investment of €17 million, the Government can keep services in communities, keep businesses open and get a substantial return. When I suggested that we divert the more than €19 million given to the greyhound racing industry annually, I was strongly opposed by many Deputies, especially Government backbenchers. I hope they bring that same passion to the defence of post offices to ensure that the €17 million is provided.

With regard to motions and Bills from the Opposition, last October the Government was still proposing counter-motions, but since Christmas its approach has been to not oppose issues so it can safely say to constituents it is not against issues such as increased maternity leave and workers' rights. The Government now lets motions pass without following through. Issues such as the national maternity strategy or an independent beef regulator slip off the headlines until an Opposition group has to use its very limited time to raise them again. This cynical approach will not work for long.

Post offices need an interim solution immediately to replace the transformational payment and they require the public service obligation of approximately €17 million. This is a clear issue with a clear solution. It also highlights the importance of joined-up thinking. The Government’s recent rural development policy states that it is committed to a "sustainable post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure in both rural and urban areas". With banks closing and bank branches in rural areas shutting down, post offices are needed as hubs for community banking. For rural areas with no broadband and cohorts of people who do not and never will bank online, post offices are a lifeline. They are essential. Yesterday, we discussed domestic violence. Post offices and credit unions which still carry out face-to-face banking provide additional protection against financial coercion and abuse. Later today, the Joint Committee on Disability Matters will launch its pre-budget submission stressing the rights of people with disabilities. Post offices are a vital local service where individuals with diverse abilities can access services and exercise independence.

All these points are connected. Post offices are vital facilities in rural and urban areas. They support businesses, bring people into towns and villages and ensure that public and banking services are available to as many people as possible. The Government has to preserve these social and economic hubs. The solution is there, but is there the will to do it?

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