Post office tech upgrade allows people to get their payments
The Hollywood outlet processes about 50 payments a week
A technological upgrade means west Wicklow residents can continue to collect social welfare payments at a local store.
Daly’s Daybreak shop in Hollywood processes about 50 payments a week.
Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said it will continue to act as a postal agency “despite issues they were having with (an) outdated postal machine” which has been used for about 20 years.
“I first met with Mark Daly in March to learn about the issues they were having because a mini-riposte machine was ceasing to work as the national broadband network has been upgraded from copper to fibre. This situation was a cause of severe stress and concern for Daly’s and indeed the community,” Deputy Whitmore said.
However An Post has provided a solution for the shop.
“When I met with Mark, it was immediately clear to me that he wanted to keep his family's shop running as a postal agency because of the value it provides to the community and he is very relieved to be able to carry that on.”
She added: "Daly’s shop is a lifeline for the community. For some people, coming down to collect their payment is the only time in that week that they'll get out of the house. For others, it's the only time they'll meet other people, and have an opportunity to have a chat and connect. It's so much more than a shop for these people, it is their connection to the community."
Dep Whitmore said as post offices are closed around the country there is a need to try to “keep these essential hubs open in rural areas.”
She said she has raised this repeatedly with An Post and the Minister for Communications.