Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. As for the interdepartmental group, that report is under active consideration within the Department. I also am acutely aware that there are a number of issues that we need to consider as a Government. As I said, my Department is doing that on a weekly basis around the future sustainable viability of the network. The questions the Deputy is asking are exactly what is under consideration within my Department, both with officials in my Department and with others.

The Deputy can be assured of this, as I have said to the IPU previously, as well as in my engagements with the CEO of An Post and with the chairperson of the board with the responsibility to ensure that we have a sustainable post office network right throughout the country. The Deputy can be assured that that work is ongoing. I am aware of the issues she has raised on the transformation payments that will end at the end of this year. Some €8.5 million was secured through my work working with An Post last year. I am therefore acutely aware of the issues. The Deputy can be assured that work is ongoing and that I am aware of the issues around ensuring that we have a viable network.

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