Government must show positive action on rural post offices – Penrose

Labour Party spokesperson on Rural and Community Affairs, Willie Penrose TD, has said that the Government must give clarity around the future of the Post Office network.

Deputy Penrose said:

“There is fear in rural Ireland at the moment over the certainty of the future of their local post offices. While speaking on RTÉ this morning, Minister Ring gave less than adequate answers regarding the future of post offices.

“For years the need for new services for An Post has been championed, and many proposals have been put forward.

“It is now time for the Government to show some positive action, and commit to protecting the infrastructure and supporting services that are crucial to rural Ireland.

“In Government the Labour Party strived to support and protect our Post Office network, promoting new products and commissioning the Post Office Network Business Development Group under Bobby Kerr. A six year contract for processing social welfare payments was awarded to An Post in 2014, and we sought the roll out of a standard bank account and more electronic services through our post office network.

“We left a template to a sustainable Post office network in place, but the lack of action on implementing the Kerr report recommendations since January 2016 is worrying at this stage.

“This uncertainty is a cause of deep concern for both postmasters and the citizens of the State, and it is time for the recommendations to be implemented.”