Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
270. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the key measures taken to support postal services during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73139/25]
View answerThe Government is committed to a sustainable An Post and post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout Ireland. An amount of €10 million per 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. The current funding provides time and space for An Post to accelerate the transformation and commercialisation of the network to ensure a relevant, commercially viable network delivering more services to citizens and small businesses.
The current 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 an enhanced amount of €15 million per annum has been allocated for the period from 2026-2030 for supporting the network subject to all legal requirements being satisfied. My Department is engaging with relevant stakeholders in relation to the funding, including ensuring an adequate legal basis and compliance with State Aid rules. I will shortly seek Government approval for a renewed mandate for the funding and to progress legislation to effect the funding to provide certainty to the network post-2025.
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. Similarly, 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.
