A report published this week by Grant Thornton, having been commissioned by the Irish Postmasters Union, predicts that more than 100 post offices could close in the next five years if they do not get an urgent injection of State funding in the region of €15 million annually. This is required to keep the network viable. The local post office, whether rural or urban, is a critical public service.

Only in the past few minutes I have been reliably informed that Crosshaven post office in the Cork South-West constituency is about to close. The population of Crosshaven is 4,228 people. That is a huge loss to that community. The time for reviews and promises is long past. We need investment, innovation and real recognition that local post offices are not luxuries, they are a lifeline. My local parish lost its post office and since then the town has been at a major loss. Will the Taoiseach be able to step in to address the Crosshaven situation? Will he give the extra funding needed to keep the doors open?

I do not know the background to the Crosshaven situation. As the Deputy said, it is just hot off the press. However, I will follow it up. I work closely with the Irish Postmasters Union and we keep in touch with the network. As the Deputy knows, the Government has committed to supporting Ireland's post office network and as part of that commitment, it is currently providing An Post with €10 million funding per annum over a three-year fixed term from 2023 to 2025. Obviously, there will be a further evaluation post 2025. The programme for Government is clear in recognising the need to support Ireland's post offices. We 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. In some instances someone may retire and there may not be takers for the position, but it depends, so I will check out the Crosshaven situation.