Wednesday 16 November 2016

Closures of post offices would be a devastating blow for communities right across the State - John Brady TD

Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady has said that any further closures of post offices would be a devastating blow for communities right across the State.

Teachta Brady said:

“Post offices are the life and soul of rural villages and towns across the State. Our post office network is the largest retail network in the country with 1,150 offices employing 3,700 people.

“Post offices are not only vital in the services that they provide but also, as a community hub. They provide a social dimension which is crucial to so many people particularly, our older citizens in rural areas.

“The Director of Retail Operations at An Post has said that 700 post offices in the State are not sustainable. If this is in fact the case then our job is to make these post offices sustainable because without a post office many communities will no longer remain sustainable themselves.

“The Government have been all talk and no action when it comes to our post offices. The Postmaster Union have already outlined their vision for the post office network by the extension of State services with increased financial services, additional social protection services, driver licences and motor tax payments.

“These are all viable options for our post offices and would be welcome by both postmasters and customers alike. Our post offices must be invested in and they must be protected

“The Government must make post offices sustainable and take this opportunity now to preserve this invaluable service into the future.”

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