Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The statistics are indicative of what has happened in the three years between 2011 and 2014. During that time, 24 post offices closed. During the six-year period between 2004 and 2010, 345 post offices closed. On the basis that this has been the trend, the Government takes this matter very seriously. The Government has faced enormous pressure at parliamentary party meetings in relation to the need for retention of post offices. Post offices are a critical part of the community infrastructure. Friday is an important day for the elderly in rural and isolated communities. They do not all go to bingo on a Wednesday night, so visiting the local post office on a Friday is often the only point of contact for them. There is a massive social dividend here that needs to be protected.

I take on board the Deputy's constructive suggestion. I look forward to engaging further with him on the matter when it comes to the debate on the report of the post office network business development group, which, as I said, is being chaired by Mr. Bobby Kerr.

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