Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for his response. Post offices are vital social links in urban and rural communities. They support local economies by providing essential Government services. However, they need further support, as the Minister of State said. Recent increases in inflation and the minimum wage have unfortunately occurred at the same time as a decline in transaction-based income for postmasters. As such, the post office network seeks to stabilise the existing network and prevent post office closures, in particular in rural and disadvantaged areas. Increased investment would ultimately provide long-term certainty for postmasters across the country, while ensuring the availability of essential Government services to citizens in all social settings. What more can be done to support postmasters and the network?

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