RUMOURS that the Government was considering measures that could force hundreds of post offices to close were denied last week by Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte.
Minister Rabbitte said the rumours were based on a consultancy report that presumed An Post’s loss of the
?¬50 million social welfare contract and calculations that it would lead to over 500 post offices closing.
“The impression is given that somewhere, somehow, the Government has announced that there is a plan to shut down post offices,
? he said.
“There is no such plan. Unless there is a compelling case, the Government doesn’t want to see a single post office closed.
?
The Minster announced a
“whole-of-government consideration
? of the nature and extent of services that can be provided to the public using the post office network as a
“front office of government
?.
Local councillor, John Redmond (Lab) welcomed the Minister’s comments, which he described as a
“clear statement
?.
“As a retired postman of nearly 40 years I know how important the roll of our local post office is,
? he said.
“It’s vital to keep and support our local post office and local business. The people need living communities with post offices at their heart.
“I also welcome his [Minister Rabbitte’s] commitment that the Cabinet Sub-Committee will report within six months on a Government approach to ensuring the future sustainability of the postal network throughout the country.
?
Despite Minister Rabbitte’s comments the Irish Postmasters Union expressed its
“deep disappointment
? at the rejection of a Dáil motion calling for a plan to secure the future of the post office network.
IPU General Secretary Brian McGann told a major rally of postmasters outside Leinster House last week that the Minister’s proposal for a review
“amounted to little more than a recipe for doing nothing
?.
“It is another example of a Government Minister under pressure kicking the can down the road,
? he said.