Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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138. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of post office closures in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Donegal in each of the years 2012 to 2016; the number of closures pending in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36452/16]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Post Office network comprises an extensive range of offices throughout the country, most of which are operated by postmasters under contract to An Post.

With regard to the specific counties referred to by the Deputy, I am informed by An Post that there are currently twenty four post offices operating in Co. Sligo. One post office closed in Co. Sligo during the period 2012-2016; this was in Templeboy in 2015. One post office, in Ballygawley, is currently in a consultation process with the local community with regard to its retention in the locality. I understand from An Post that the closing date for submissions on this matter is 2 December 2016.

No post offices have closed in County Leitrim over the period 2012–2016. There are currently seventeen post offices operating in the county.

There are currently twenty six post offices operating in Co. Cavan. Two post offices closed in the county over the period 2012–2016. Both closures took place in 2013, in Ballyheelan and Tierworker. In addition, An Post informs me that a consultation process will shortly commence in respect of one post office where the postmaster intends to resign from February 2017.

Finally, in Donegal, two post offices, Meenlaragh in 2012 and Gleneely in 2014, have closed during the period in question, while one new office was opened in Glencar in Letterkenny in 2013. Seventy seven post offices are currently operating in the county, with one, Dunlewey, involved in a consultation process.