asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when it is intended to provide the much needed post office in Finglas South, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Post Office.
21.
The area is regarded as adequately catered for by the two existing sub post offices at Cappagh and in Main Street, Finglas, and it is not considered that an additional post office would be warranted at present.
Has the Minister got, in his brief, the distance that old age pensioners and housewives must travel to collect their pensions or children's allowances in that district?
They have no greater distance to travel than many other people in Dublin. It is not the practice to site sub post offices in built up areas in closer proximity than about a mile from an existing post office. South Finglas is as well catered for by the existing two offices as other comparable areas. There are no special features to warrant exceptional treatment. The only large undeveloped area in the vicinity has been acquired by the local authorities to be developed as an amenity area, and it is therefore unlikely that any further significant housing development in or near south Finglas will take place. The only uncompleted development of any size is a shopping centre. I will re-examine the situation as regards a post office when the shopping centre is completed.
Does the Minister, as the responsible Minister, accept that it is fair to ask old age pensioners or housewives to travel a mile on foot to collect their pensions, and is the Minister satisfied with that position?
It is obvious to the Deputy, who is a very intelligent and well informed public representative, that there are limits to the extent to which post offices can be provided in Dublin or anywhere else. They cannot be provided in every street even though it would be more convenient for pensioners and others. Finglas is not at a disadvantage compared with other areas.
I appreciate the difficulties, but surely the Minister would agree that old age pensioners and housewives are obliged to travel at least the distance of one mile to collect their entitlements?
I am afraid we are having repetition.
If we accept that, we might move towards an objective which I hope we both share.