Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
122. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to provide rural postmasters with a retainer in order to secure the future operations of rural post offices once Covid-19 related supports cease in view of a report (details supplied) which recommended this measure to the value of €17 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13980/22]
View answerAn Post is a commercial semi-state company with a mandate to act commercially and it is longstanding Government policy that postal services will not be directly subsidised by the taxpayer. The Government remains fully committed to a sustainable An Post and post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout Ireland. A long-term low interest loan of €30m was provided to the company in December 2017, of which €15m was to support and protect the renewal of the post office network.
