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For Written Answer on : 15/02/2023
Question Number(s): 48 Question Reference(s): 7592/23
Department: Environment, Climate and Communications
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications to outline the current situation with respect to the €30 million funding package announced in June 2022 to support the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
An amendment to the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 is proposed under the Communications Regulation and Digital Hub Development Agency (Amendment) Bill 2022. The proposed amendment will provide a statutory base for the provision of funding from the Minister of the Environment, Climate and Communications to the post office network, via An Post. The Bill has completed fifth stage in the Dáil and cleared second stage in the Seanad on 8 February and is due back for final stages in the Seanad this week.
Payments to Postmasters will made as soon as practicable once the enabling legislation is passed, with payments backdated to January 2023.
