Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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That is a round trip of 19 miles for many vulnerable people living in rural areas to collect social assistance payments, some of whom have to hire a taxi to collect them. There is a lack of understanding of the hardship this can cause for individuals and communities when the local post office closes. Having to take a round trip of 19 miles for a person who has to hire a taxi can use up a significant amount of their overall budget for a particular week. When the contract comes up for renewal, I ask the Minister to examine the 15 km threshold because communities are becoming more isolated owing to the reduction in the size of the sub post office network.