Alarm over scale of decline of Mayo's rural postal services

Top level concerns are being articulated over the scale of decline of Mayo's rural postal services.

Two Mayo Oireachtas members have issued separate appeals to Communications Minister Patrick O'Donovan to save the sector from going out of business.

The stance has been taken by Deputy Keira Keogh and Deputy Paul Lawless as 19 post offices have shut down across the county over the past decade.

The most recent closure was the facility in Tulrahan, six miles from Ballyhaunis, which had been in operation for 150 years, outgoing postmaster Catherine Delaney serving for an extraordinary 71 years.

Westport-based Deputy Keogh stated: “Post offices are far more than a place to post a letter or collect a pension. In towns and villages across Mayo they are trusted services, providers of local employment, and an important point of contact for communities."

She added the recent decision by An Post to abandon plans to transfer the postal sorting office in Barnatra to Ballina following community and political representation ‘showed that when there is genuine engagement and consistent representation, the importance of maintaining services and employment in rural areas can be recognised’.

Deputy Lawless cited 'significant concerns about financial pressures that An Post is driving'.

He elaborated: "We are going to see the loss of further post offices over the coming years unless there is a significant change in how we support post offices.

"Nine banks in total have closed between Charlestown, Kiltimagh and Ballyhaunis in recent years.

"As a result of that, there has been an increasing level of service delivery in Kilkelly Post Office and in the surrounding post offices in Knock, Kiltimagh and Ballyhaunis.

"Now there is a real threat that we are now going to lose them as well due to financial pressures.

"I have asked Minister O'Donovan to seriously address this significant threat because we will see further closures, particularly as postmasters retire."

Deputy Keogh renewed her concerns over the proposal to transfer An Post's delivery service unit from Ballyhaunis to Castlerea.

“The Ballyhaunis unit currently employs 13 local staff, most of whom live in the community. Relocating this service would cause significant disruption for those employees and would also have a knock-on impact on the local economy.

"The town has already lost two banks and a courthouse. The loss of this unit will have a very negative impact.

"I commend Councillor Alma Gallagher and the Ballyhaunis Chamber president, Anne Cunnane, on their extensive efforts to stop this. They are supported in their efforts by over 3,500 local people who voiced their concerns in a petition.

"The staff feel hoodwinked by An Post and their union and are dismayed with the engagement so far.

"I welcome the recent announcement of €15 million per annum for the remainder of this government term to support the stability and sustainability of the nationwide network of post offices.

"However, we need to engage closely on the ground with all stakeholders to ensure this funding is deployed effectively and sustainably."

In respect of the ongoing Ballyhaunis controversy, Deputy Lawless said: "It will cause mayhem in the town, including for the affected staff.

"Ballyhaunis has lost so much in recent years, including banks and reduced hours in the credit union. It is really important that we protect that DSU."