An Post says it will not walk away from locals

Padraig Conlon

AN POST has insisted it will not “walk away” after it was confirmed that two local offices will shut their doors.

Monkstown and Foxrock post offices are both set to close later this month.

Dún Laoghaire People Before Profit TD, Richard Boyd Barrett, said he is calling on An Post to ensure that local services are continued.

Both closures are happening, according to An Post, because the post masters, who are self-employed contractors, are retiring.

An Post say that despite heavily advertising the two vacancies they have been unable to find anyone to take up the contracts.

Deputy Boyd Barrett said the closure of Monkstown Post Office cannot be allowed to happen.

“Many, particularly elderly people, rely on this local service to collect their pensions or other social welfare payments,” he said.

“To collect instead from Dún Laoghaire will not be possible for many of these people,” he said.

“There are 950 post offices across the country of which now only 40 are owned by An Post with the postmaster being a direct employee of An Post.

“This is a much more sensible way to run a vital service that would ensure continuation in the event of a retirement.”

He added: “Currently Monkstown is due to shut at the end of August and all social welfare payments will be transferred to Dún Laoghaire.

However, Angus Laverty, Public Affairs Manager with An Post, told Southside People the company is not planning on “walking away” from either area.

“When we knew that the two vacancies were coming up, we began advertising both on numerous occasions across various platforms,” he said.

“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to find someone in time to take up the contracts, so we have no option but to temporarily close both post offices.

“Foxrock will close on August 13 with the service moving to Cabinteely.

“Monkstown will close at the end of this month with the service moving to Dun Laoghaire.

“We plan to keep looking and the hope is we will eventually attract the right people to take the contracts for the two post offices.

“In the meantime, we genuinely have no other option available to us to keep both post offices open.

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this may cause for our customers.

“However we want them to know that we’re not walking away from either area.”