An Rinn community services
Deputy Shanahan described the loss of GP services, Garda presence and post office provision in An Rinn and criticised the costs imposed on a potential postmaster. The Taoiseach said the responsible Minister of State would look at the issue and reply directly.
I raise the plight of the Gaeltacht community in Waterford, An Rinn and the whole parish. The GP services have closed recently. The refurbished Garda station is now shuttered and the gardaí have been transferred. There are no gardaí there and now the post office is to close. An existing retailer in An Rinn is looking into a post office contract and was asked to contribute €44,000 to an An Post fit-out scheme to service a completely unsustainable contract, which is basically worth €4 to him for a 47-hour week. The Government constantly communicates its desire to protect our teanga. Údarás na Gaeltachta has spent €50 million in the past five years but not a penny was spent in the Waterford Gaeltacht. Will the Taoiseach take action to direct that subventions be provided by An Post and-or Údarás na Gaeltachta to make viable this community post office and support the service in An Rinn agus an Sean Phobal?
Comment on this
While I am not directly familiar with the issue, my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, tells me she spoke to the new Minister of State with responsibility for the Gaeltacht, Deputy Thomas Byrne, this morning and he has committed to take a look at the issue. We will revert to the Deputy directly about it.