Concern over potential closure of post offices in Co Kildare

As many as 100 rural post offices including a small in number in Co Kildare could face closure under a deal brokered by An Post and the Postmasters Union.

It has emerged that An Post has received applications from 110 post offices across the country expressing interest in the voluntary retirement package.

However there were fears that post office workers who take retirement from low-volume post offices will not be replaced, resulting in closures.

Politicians in Co Kildare are concerned that Moone Post Office will close.

Cllr Martin Miley said: "Devastating news for 2 Kildare communities (and an far stretching hinterland) as An Post announces plans to shut down post offices in Moone and Donadea.

The Fianna Fail politician and former Mayor said: "I'm thinking about the wider community particularly the elderly in Moone who use this post office and a constant basis.

"I would like to thank Tom and Bernie Wall for the service they have delivered in the community I know they are devastated with the news also.

"The government’s plans to deliver broadband to rural Ireland are in tatters.

"They have shut down three Garda stations in the Area over the past six years. The announcement about post offices - with zero ministerial intervention - reiterates that Leo’s government cares damn all about rural Ireland."

Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin, TD for South Kildare said she is deeply concerned over yet another closure of a rural post office in Kildare.

Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin insisted that the Post Office network must be valued for the role it plays in Irish life and the essential service it provides.

She added: "The services are vital to rural towns and to people living in rural areas.”

“While these closures across the country are being made in consultation with the owners, this is yet again a major blow to rural communities.

"People living in the Moone area will now have to travel to Ballitore to their closest post office and means that Moone have lost another service to the area”.

Deputy O’Loughlin went on to say that “The now 28 Post Offices in Kildare are more than just a place to buy stamps.  They play a major part in rural life particularly and perform social as well as practical functions.

"The closure of Valentine’s in TwoMileHouse is an example of the void that can be felt by a community when their much-loved local Post Office closes.”

“Rural Ireland has faced huge changes and challenges in the last few years.  Loss of Garda stations, closure of bank branches, reductions in local bus services all of which result in the fragmentation of a rural community”.

The deputy concluded that “In practice, many small towns and villages across Ireland have lost both their post office and bank branches in the last few years.  The government must work with all stakeholders in the postal service to protect and develop the Post Office network so it can maintain its important position in Irish life.”

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