Charlie McConalogue TD
Donegal Deputy Charlie McConalogue has raised alarm about the threat to the future of more than 550 community post offices.
It comes amid warnings that more than half of the country’s post office could face closure over the next three years if the Department of Social Protection moves to electronic issuing of social welfare payments.
Deputy McConalogue said widespread post of closures in Co Donegal would be devastating for the communities affected.
“We are talking about the threat to the very existence of our post office network. This is extremely serious. The local post office is a focal point for many Donegal communities and its loss would have an enormous impact on community life,” the Fianna Fáil Deputy said.
“Donegal communities have lost too many local services over the past three years. Bank branches have shut down, garda stations have been closed, local schools are under threat, State funding for local services has been cut and many small local business have been forced to close or cut jobs because they cannot get the support they need. The loss of the post office on top of all of this would be yet another blow to community life.
“We need clarity on what exactly is going on here. The Department of Social Protection has made it clear that it’s moving toward e-commerce and electronic transfers of money. A new study carried out for the Irish Postmasters Union now says that if this move takes place and social welfare payments are issued electronically, some 557 post offices will go out of business and will be forced to shut down. Donegal is sure to suffer in this cull.
“Such a move could cause chaos for regular users of the local post office. If social welfare payments are issued directly to bank accounts, older people and people with disabilities will be expected to travel and join already lengthening queues at bank branches with any queries about their social welfare payments. It’s unacceptable.
“In addition to the serious impact on customers and the effect on the local community, thousands of jobs are also at risk if these closures go ahead. I am calling on the Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton and the Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte to explain what is going on here and provide some assurances to communities about the future of their local press office.”