Republican News · Thursday 7 March 2002

Ó Caoláin support for sub-post offices

The threat of closure hanging over many sub-post offices, especially in rural communities, was highlighted in the Dáil last week. Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin called on the government to equip An Post to provide more services through its network and thus to ensure the future of up to 900 sub-post offices currently under threat.

A government-commissioned report by Phil Flynn last year recommended "that all necessary steps be taken by the government to maximise the amount of business channelled through An Post's network". But the Minister for Public Enterprise Mary O'Rourke was criticised for not implementing this report and favouring another set of recommendations which would result in widespread closures.

Ó Caoláin spoke in support of a motion calling on the government to ensure a range of measures, including a current account system similar to the model operated by banks, ATM facilities at each sub-post office retention of payment of social welfare entitlements at sub-post offices, payment of bills to public authorities on a fee per item basis, renewal of driving licences and motor taxation, the development of e-commerce facilities, a low interest loan scheme repayable over ten years for the modernisation and upgrading of sub-post office premises. The motion also called for a programme of retraining modules for sub-postmasters, sub-postmistresses and sub-post office staff and an agreed redundancy scheme for sub-postmasters and sub-post mistresses who do not wish to continue to operate, and the restriction of PostPoint outlets to communities where sub-post offices cease to exist.

Ó Caoláin said sub-post offices played an "essential role in the lives of rural communities". He pointed out that the government's amendment to the motion did not mention sub-post offices or those who staff them even once.