Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context

484. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he recognises that investing €15 million per annum in the Post Office Network is not only good value for money but essential to maintain critical public access points in communities across the country as suggested by a union (details supplied). [37534/25]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context

485. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason the Government not yet committed to a sustained annual investment of €15 million to safeguard vital services nationwide (details supplied). [37535/25]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context

486. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has assessed the cost to the State and to the communities if the Post Office Network continues to decline due to the lack of structured multi-annual funding. [37536/25]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context

487. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will commit to using the Post Office Network as a delivery partner for more public services such as form generation, tourist information, register of electors and enabling all postmasters to become peace commissioners, to ensures that the €15 million investment delivers even greater community and economic impact. [37537/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 484 to 487, inclusive, together.

The Government is committed to a sustainable An Post and post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout Ireland. The Programme for Government states that the Government will continue to provide the nationwide network of post offices with funding to ensure their sustainability and enhance the value they bring to local communities. My Department is working to deliver on this and is engaging with relevant stakeholders in relation to the funding. Additionally, my Department is working with Government colleagues to secure future funding in line with the Programme for Government.

An amount of €10 million/annum is currently being provided over a three-year fixed term (2023-2025) to An Post. An Post then disperses this funding across the post office network, with all contractor post offices benefitting from the Government funding with the objective of securing the stability of the Network. The funding is being paid monthly for each 12-month period. For the period 2023 to end June 2025, €25 million has been claimed by An Post for the network.

It should be noted that An Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to act commercially. An Post has statutory responsibility for the State's postal service and the post office network. Decisions relating to the network, including decisions relating to specific post offices are operational matters for the Board and management of the company and not one in which I, as Minister, have any function. The terms under which Postmasters contract with An Post is a matter between the Postmasters and An Post and any negotiations are a matter for both parties directly