Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his assurances on the Cabra post offices. I am delighted to hear that neither is threatened with closure. I will convey that information to the people concerned.

I also asked the Minister whether he had any information on the number of post offices closed during the current Administration compared with the numbers closed during the previous Administration. My information is that there have been 24 closures between 2011 and 2015 and in the four-year period of the previous Administration there were 198 closures, which is a large number. Funnily enough, I do not recollect any complaints or campaign by postmasters and postmistresses during the previous Administration. All of a sudden, they seem to have a new wind in their sails and have begun to campaign, even though hardly any post offices were closed. I imagine those that closed did so as a result of what one could call natural wastage, whereby postmasters or postmistresses retired. There have been virtually no closures during this Administration.

I am delighted we have a strong post office service for the future. It is very important to our country. I am delighted that new business is forthcoming and that there is a commitment by Departments to continue their business with post offices. Unfortunately, the mail service is changing very rapidly and the volume of that particular service is declining, but I understand strong alternative services are coming on board and an increase in business is taking place as a result.

I am delighted with what the Minister had to say about the future of post offices in Cabra. Perhaps he would clarify the overall picture on post office closures over recent years.

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