asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs what arrangements, if any, he has made or proposes to make vis-à-vis old age pension payments and telephone facilities for those formerly serviced by Furnace Post Office in the Newport area of County Mayo.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Post Office Facilities.
128.
Most of the old age pension orders which were formerly cashed at Furnace sub-office are now being cashed at Newport sub-post office. It is not, of course, necessary for an old age pensioner to attend personally at a post office to secure payment.
As regards the public telephone, the use made of it at Furnace sub-post office was negligible. It is clear that maintenance of this facility in the area would not be warranted.
Was there not a suggestion in a newspaper report that these facilities were being restored?
As far as I am concerned, no decision was taken to close the office. There was an old lady in charge and when she died, there was no one to run the office.
Will the Minister reopen the public telephone?
The use made of the telephone was negligible. There were only about two calls a day.
Is that because the people are leaving that neighbourhood?
I would have to look back over the records for a number of years to answer that.
Is it proposed to discontinue the service?
I cannot see any justification for keeping it open.
Two calls a day are not very many but one of them might be a matter of life and death.
There is one private telephone close by and perhaps the use of it would be allowed in such a case.