Longford County Council support call for extra €5 million in Post office funding
Cllr Padraig McNamara asked for €15 million to be made available annually
A Fine Gael councillor who wants the Government to make a commitment to invest €15 million annually, an extra €5 million than it presently does, into the Irish Post Office Network received strong support at last week's local authority meeting.
Cllr Padraig McNamara brought forward a motion calling on Longford County Council to 'write to Minister Patrick O’Donovan requesting the Government to commit to investing €15 million annually in the Irish Post Office Network, 'given its central role in delivering essential public services and providing critical financial support' to small businesses.
"With 540 post offices located in areas without a bank within 55km radius the network is a lifeline for communities, particularly in rural Ireland and its sustainability is vital for local economies, social inclusion and community wellbeing."
Cllr McNamara, a Granard-based postmaster, said the post office network not only provides an important community service but it also looks after vulnerable people.
"Some people, as we know ourselves as councillors, we are elected here to represent the people and we all know people who are struggling hand to mouth and we look after those people in those areas.
"Without the post office network in the towns and villages what would replace it?
Fianna Fáil Cllr Pat O'Toole, who seconded the motion, said he was strongly in favour and he described it as being 'excellent' and a motion that should be supported across the country.
Fine Gael Cllr Paul Ross stated post offices are a vitally important part of local communities and he wholeheartedly backed it along with his party colleague Cllr Colin Dalton, while Fianna Fáil Cllr Seamus Butler stressed the importance of the service for older people in rural areas, in particular.
He stated a €15 million investment in the Post Office Network equated to around €28,000 per post office and he asked Cllr McNamara how he envisaged the funding would be spent on rural post offices.
Clr McNamara said the money would "help the network to stay alive" with the costs of running the businesses.
"If you look at the banking sector they have closed their doors to people, they don't want people going into the banks at all," he added.
Cllr McNamara stated if post offices disappear from rural villages and towns "you can say the Government has stepped away from supporting communities" where he said there is a significant economic and social need for post offices in rural Ireland.
The motion received strong support from the local representatives in attendance.
The local authority will now send a letter to Minister O'Donovan requesting that additional funding is allocated towards post offices.
The Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) warned in June that 40% of post offices could close unless Government funding for the network is increased.
They union called for a 50% State funding increase to €15 million per year over five years.