€30 million over three years to support a sustainable, nationwide Post Office network
New Government funding to support the Post Office network in County Kildare is welcome and will provide certainty for many local post masters who have been considering their future, according to Fine Gael Kildare South TD and Minister of State Martin Heydon.
Minister Heydon said, “My colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for Postal Matters, Hildegarde Naughton TD, has updated me on a new Government funding package of €30 million to be provided over a three-year fixed period, to support a sustainable, nationwide Post Office network. Minister Naughton visited Kildare with me last week and I brought her to meet Fintan Darling postmaster at the Curragh Camp post office who outlined the concerns of local post masters to her.
“Fine Gael is working to build stronger, safer communities and our local post offices play a vital role in community life. We recognise the importance of a high-value and high-quality Post Office network to citizens right across the country, as well as the central and trusted role of postmasters in our communities, particularly in more isolated and rural areas.
“This funding announcement marks the first time in the history of Government that direct financial support will be provided to post masters. It will give them certainty and stability, allowing them to plan and develop their services. Government is encouraging the Post Office network to deliver an increased range of community banking and e-commerce services to the public and businesses. A report from the Inter-Departmental Group, which was established to examine the feasibility of additional Government services being provided through An Post and the Post Office network, will be published shortly.
“The funding will also help safeguard the future of more vulnerable post offices in our communities which I know will be very welcome in Kildare and around the Country. We really saw the benefit of our post offices and post masters during the recent Covid period when they were a real lifeline for many living in rural areas.
“It is so important that people have access to the quality services offered by the Post Office network, whether they are living in urban or rural Ireland. This funding will help to ensure that access for everyone, wherever they live in County Kildare.”