asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that the existing post office accommodation to serve Clondalkin, County Dublin, is totally inadequate having regard to the fact that old age pensioners and social welfare applicants have to queue outside this office in inclement weather; if, in the circumstances, immediate and urgent steps will be taken to provide suitable and proper post office accommodation to serve this now substantial centre of population; and, if so, when.
Written Answers. - Clondalkin (Dublin) Post Office.
259.
The Clondalkin area is served by two post offices, one at Main Street and the other at Neilstown. It is proposed to establish an office at Bawnogue provided a suitable applicant is forthcoming when the position of Postmaster-Postmistress is readvertised shortly. Most of the post office business in the area is transacted at the Main Street Office where the accommodation is adequate for normal requirements. Some queueing occurs inside the office on Fridays and children's allowance payment days but this happens at most busy post offices on those days. A queue forms outside the office on Saturday mornings when large numbers attend together to cash unemployment pay orders. It would not be practicable for the postmaster to provide additional staffing and accommodation for a short peak of this kind. Other ways of relieving this congestion by, for example extending the payment of unemployment orders to Neilstown Post Office and, perhaps, by staggering the days of payment, are, therefore, being considered.