Glasnevin and Finglas East post office
Deputy Ellis objected to plans to close a viable post office and shop serving a busy local area, arguing it contradicted the Government's commitment to keep post offices central to services. The Taoiseach said closures were not a Government decision, suggested the issue arose when a postmistress retired, and said Deputy Noel Rock would keep Deputy Ellis informed.
There are plans to close the post office covering Glasnevin and Finglas East at the end of November due to the retirement of a postmistress.
Comment on this
This fully fitted post office and Spar shop have a footfall of 8,000 to 10,000 people per week. Over 20 people are employed in them and there are almost 30 other businesses locally. There is no shortage of business people to run it.
Comment on this
I am coming to that. An Post has made a decision solely because it wants a number of post offices closed across the country. It has nothing to do with their viability. The programme for Government states that the Government would actively encourage payments at post offices and enhance the role of services in post offices, which would deliver a wide range of services. When will the Taoiseach do this? Would he and the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten, intervene and ask what the rationale is for closing a viable post office?
Comment on this
Post offices are not closed by Government decision. When they close, it is generally because somebody retires, as the Deputy mentioned, and the company is unable to find somebody who wants to take up the role.
Comment on this
It is not an issue I know about in great detail but I know that Deputy Noel Rock held a very successful public meeting on the matter in Finglas-----
