I again acknowledge all the postmasters and postmistresses around the country for the incredible work they do. The post office is the heart and soul of rural Ireland. I acknowledge their role in providing a phenomenal service. I also acknowledge the role of our postmen and postwomen who deliver our post every day and every week. In particular, back during the Covid restrictions, sometimes the only interaction people in rural areas had was with their postman who was driving up country boreens and country lanes delivering that piece of post. It is important in the context of the debate that we acknowledge the role of our postmen and postwomen around the country and thank them for the service they provide. In that context, I wish to share a personal story. My father is retiring from the post office as a postman next month and I wish him well in his retirement. The Government is absolutely committed to supporting rural areas and we all want to see the post office network developed. The programme for Government specifically states that the Government will continue to provide a nationwide network of post offices with funding to ensure their sustainability and enhance the value they bring to local communities. I was particularly delighted in January when the Government announced that it will provide funding of €15 million out to 2030 to support the stability of the nationwide network of post offices. This a huge shot in the arm and in fairness the postmasters group lobbied very hard. That is money that is incredibly well spent and will probably be the best money the Government will spend over the next five years. Post offices are vital social links in rural communities but in urban settings as well. They are absolutely critical. They support local economies, providing essential government services. In many small towns and villages - I am thinking of my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny - the post office is the last remaining face-to-face interaction that a lot of these towns have. They provide hugely important services in towns of all sizes, but in particular in small towns. Over 1 million people every week use the post office. That is one in five people in this country every week who interact with the post office or use it for the many things that they can use it for. It is absolutely incredible that so many people are using it. We have got something in rural Ireland that works. We have something that represents everything is great about our country. We need to continue to support and enhance it. I say this from my perspective as a rural TD. Every time we hear of a post office closing in the community, it sends a shudder down the spine of those in rural communities. Anything that can be done to support rural post offices should be done.

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