asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he is aware of the very serious inconvenience caused to the residents of Clonard, Co. Meath, by the refusal to establish in that place a Post Office; that Clonard is one of the most thickly populated districts in Meath, and that not only are the people without a Post Office in that district, but they have not a pillar box; whether he has received a memorial signed by the residents of this locality pointing out the great necessity for a Post Office in Clonard, and whether, in view of the very serious circumstances existing in this district, he will give immediate and careful consideration to this matter.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CLONARD (MEATH) POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS.
There was formerly a Sub-Post Office at Clonard, but it was closed by the British administration in August, 1921, on account of serious irregularities, and was subsequently abolished, as it was found that the amount of business did not warrant its maintenance, and that there was, moreover, a large loss on the post serving the district.
Several applications have since been received for the re-opening of the office, and have been refused. Clonard is only two and a half miles from the nearest Post Office, and is within three miles of two other offices. There is also a letter box at Clonard Cross, situated only half a mile from the site of the former office.
In my opinion the postal facilities provided are adequate to meet the reasonable requirements of the locality, and I regret that I am unable to sanction the re-establishment of an office at Clonard.
Is the Minister aware that Clonard postal area is a very wide area, covering about seven miles, that part of the area is five miles from where the Post Office formerly was, that the people are now such a distance from any Post Office that they are unable to get stamps or to obtain any facilities for posting parcels, and will the Minister consider the demand of these people for such facilities as, to my mind, they are entitled to ask from the State?
The information at my disposal I have already read.
I could tell the Minister that there is no Post Office within two miles of Clonard.