Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)

We are very clear on the importance of Government funding and the three-year contract to make sure post offices are sustained. I have no doubt we would have seen closures over the past three years if it had not been for the Government stepping up to the mark. We are also very clear on the importance of us continuing to step up and support the network.

We have received a submission from the postmasters' union on the renewal of the contract. There are state aid considerations and that technical work is being worked through and fully assessed. It will involve engagement on the part of the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, and I with the Department of public expenditure. We are very clear on the importance of the network and ensuring that it is supported, along with the importance of Government funding to support the network.

We will continue to liaise with the postmasters' union and An Post on this. The Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, and I will continue to work hard on the budgetary process and with Oireachtas Members, of whom Deputy McCarthy is very much at the forefront in this regard, to ensure the post office network is maintained and kept economically viable and sustainable.

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