asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that the new location of the post office at Tagheen, Claremorris, is almost on the edge of the area which it serves, that over half of the population of the area are almost four miles from it, and that there is serious resentment in the locality owing to the increased distance which the families of over 150 households have now to traverse to conduct their business, and, if so, if he will at once order the post office to be reverted to its former area.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Tagheen Post Office (County Mayo).
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state (a) the reason or reasons why the post office at Tagheen, Claremorris, County Mayo, was changed from its original site; (b) in what way the new owner of the house wherein the post office was located did not qualify, and (c) what qualifications the new sub-postmaster has that the purchaser of the old post office building had not.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state (a) the cost of the transfer of the post office at Tagheen, Claremorris; (b) the cost of transferring the telephone; (c) the extra cost of carrying the mails annually to the new site, and (d) the amount of the loss of revenue from telephone subscribers in the area.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 70, 71 and 72 together.
The new sub-post office is situated in the community centre of the rural district close to the church and school and at a crossroads. For this reason, no doubt, I have received no representations or complaints of the kind suggested by the Deputy.
The removal arose from the resignation of the former sub-postmaster and the resultant appointment of a successor.
It would be contrary to practice to furnish any information regarding the relative qualifications of the applicants as it would be difficult to do so without disclosing information obtained in confidence either from, or concerning, these applicants.
The cost involved by the change is as follows:—
|
(a) Removal of Letter-box including reinstatement of old premises |
£7 10s. 0d. |
|
(b) Removal of Telephone |
£10 11s. 0d. |
|
(c) Additional annual cost of mail conveyance |
£20 0s. 0d. |
There is no loss of revenue in regard to telephone subscribers.
Would the Minister say why he has not given the reasons why the post office was changed and placed virtually at the end of the area which it serves so that some householders have to travel close on four miles to get to the post office? The old one was located fairly centrally. The Minister has not given any reasons why the purchaser of the old post office site was disqualified or in what way the new appointee has qualified over him.
I would remind the Deputy that I have not said anything which would cast a reflection on any applicants. What I said was that, in my view, the post office was placed in what is the genuine rural community centre of the district. In a rural districtthere is no area which is literally perfect for a post office. There are always pros and cons with regard to choice, particularly with regard to a rural area. But I have no doubt that in this case, from a long term standpoint, it is well to have the post office in the rural community centre.
In view of the allegation that there is serious resentment in the locality against people having to go some distance to this post office, will the Minister ascertain if there is the same objection about going to Mass in the church?
I understand there were only two applicants for the post office, the successful one and the purchaser of the site of the previous post office. I want the Minister to say what qualifications the purchaser of the old post office site had not that the successful applicant had.
It is not usual to give qualifications. They have never been given in answer to a question in this House because that would disclose private information about people. As I indicated, I have not in any way said anything against the qualifications of any person who applied.
I have that particular applicant's permission to raise this particular matter in the House and to ask for the difference in qualifications between him and the new appointee. Will the Minister give that information now?
It is not usual to give comparative qualifications in a matter of this kind. I have given the Deputy sufficient information to relieve the mind of anyone.
I beg to give notice, Sir, that with your permission I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.