Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)

I want to take this opportunity to speak about the basis on which An Post currently justifies the closure of rural post offices, namely, on economic grounds and non-viability. This does not take into account the commercial services that accompany such post offices, such as those outlined by Deputy Coffey like banking services, social welfare distribution and often private shops, which are a vital part of the rural infrastructure of local communities. Post offices are often the focal point for people and give business and life to the local shop, which is a central part of any rural society. I would also like to point out that post offices provide a social support to individual members of the public, mostly those who are elderly and at risk of further isolation.

I understand that An Post is a semi-State company and has a commercial mandate, but the Government also has a stake in Bus Éireann and the ESB. Bus Éireann provides, perhaps not to the extent that we would like, a service that is non-profitable to areas of low population. The ESB provides electrification at a commercial loss to the islands. The Minister should look at how An Post can also provide a service to these rural communities. Deputy Coffey has outlined the difficulty faced by many people in mid County Waterford with the closure of Kill post office. I bring to the Minister's attention some statistics of which I have become aware in recent weeks. The week prior to the robbery and the subsequent closure of the post office almost 700 transactions took place there. This shows a great opportunity to grow its viability. As Deputy Coffey mentioned, we can also look at the introduction of other services such as motor tax and foreign exchange. We could look outside the box. Rural County Waterford is a very scenic and beautiful place and we could have tourist information points for those we want to visit the county. We should consider the example of the ESB which operates at a loss by providing electricity to the islands and rural parts of the country. Will the Minister take on board these points?

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