Postal services being “eroded” in West Dublin, Soc Dem TDs say

Social Democrat TDs Gary Gannon and Rory Hearne have spoken out about postal services being “eroded” in West Dublin.

The Dublin Central and Dublin North-West TDs raised concerns about the potential closure of the Home Farm Road parcel delivery office and the potential sale of the An Post depot on Griffith Avenue.

Gannon said  “we are about to lose a site from a semi-state entity,” and that the government are continuing on its unofficial policy of outsourcing postal services. 

Gannon said, “there will be a big hole in the ground that once was a state service and residents are angry about it. They are not just angry because of the loss of a particular entity; they are angry because of the loss of a service. There has been no consultation. The residents rightfully feel disrespected,” the Dublin Central TD said.

Gannon was particularly annoyed at the parliamentary question being heard after 11pm on Tuesday evening, and an independent minister was taking a response instead of the actual Fianna Fáil minister who has responsibility for postal services.

Independent minister Noel Grealish used the government go-to defence, that they do not have a say on the day-to-day operational matters of services such as An Post.

He said, “the ministers are aware of the impact that decisions relating to changes in An Post operations have on communities and individuals in both rural and urban areas.”

Grealish noted that the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport are working to deliver an enhanced amount of €15 million per annum for the postal network, and said the funding was “subject to all legal requirements being satisfied.”

He said that the funding will “support the stability and sustainability of the nationwide network of post offices,” as well as “protect and nurture a commercially focused post office network.”

Further up the Northside, Hearne expressed concern about the planned service delivery office closure.

“This service delivery office has been an important local service for the community (Drumcondra and Glasnevin) and this is happening in the context of the removal of a number of local services like local transport infrastructure, bus changes, the closure of Whitehall Garda station, the loss of parking, restriction on transport and ongoing disruptions.”

“This area also has an older demographic; residents are deeply concerned that changes being made to essential services like this are being made without any consideration of the combined impact on residents who depend on accessible local infrastructure and services,” Hearne noted.

The Dublin North-West TD said “in particular, it (the closure) will have a negative impact on the quality of life of older residents, those with mobility challenges and families seeking to remain connected to local services. We are asking if An Post has undertaken an assessment of such accessibility and mobility impacts of the change in services.”

Grealish noted, “in all fairness, the postman was the connection with a lot of elderly people living at home. He used to call and check on them to make sure they were there. There is always that fear that you will lose the services in the area. I will not read out the script I have in front of me,” and would defer to Minister O’Donovan on the issue.