Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)

A report published this week by Grant Thornton, having been commissioned by the Irish Postmasters Union, predicts that more than 100 post offices could close in the next five years if they do not get an urgent injection of State funding in the region of €15 million annually. This is required to keep the network viable. The local post office, whether rural or urban, is a critical public service.

Only in the last few minutes I have been reliably informed that Crosshaven post office is about to close, in the Cork South West constituency. The population of Crosshaven is 4,228 people. That is a huge loss to that community. The time for reviews and promises is long past. We need investment, innovation and real recognition that local post offices are not luxuries, they are a lifeline. My local parish lost its post office and since then the town has been at a major loss. Will the Taoiseach be able to step in to address the Crosshaven situation? Will he give the extra funding needed to keep the doors open?

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