asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware of the changes made in the postal delivery services at Portumna, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Postal Deliveries.
16.
(Dublin South-Central): A second postal delivery which had been given in Portumna between 6 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. has been ceased. In the course of a recent examination and revision of local delivery arrangements it was found that the cost of maintaining the second delivery could not be justified having regard to the small volume of correspondence involved and the necessarily late evening time of the service.
I did not hear the first part of the reply. Would the Minister please repeat it?
That is not the fault of the Chair.
(Dublin South-Central): A second postal delivery which had been given in Portumna between 6 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. has been ceased. In the course of a recent examination and revision of local delivery arrangements it was found that the cost of maintaining the second delivery could not be justified having regard to the small volume of correspondence involved and the necessarily late evening time of the service.
Was there any consultation with local people when this decision was made?
(Dublin South-Central): A review was carried out in Portumna district as in many other parts of the country. It was found that the second delivery was completely unnecessary and the expense involved was not justified.
I would not have put the question on the Order Paper if I had not been approached by the local people to do so because it is causing a good deal of inconvenience. Would the Minister look into this matter with a view to restoring things to the former position?
(Dublin South-Central): Since the delivery did not take place until 7.30 p.m. I doubt very much if any business people were inconvenienced.
Is the Minister aware that many people in the area are dissatisfied with the decision? I do not think the Department should take such a decision without some consultation.
Conditions outside Dublin are totally different.
(Interruptions.)