asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the type of grades for sub-post offices; and the population which each grade should ideally serve.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sub-post offices.
108.
The types of sub-post offices available are as follows:—
(a) money order offices with telegraph facilities; (b) money order offices without telegraph facilities; (c) non-money order offices with telegraph facilities; (d) non-money order offices without telegraph facilities.
The type of office available in any area is determined by the need for the various facilities and is not specifically related to population.
Is the Minister aware that the population of this area can be approximated to that of Waterford and does he not consider, therefore, that standard facilities should be available to the population there?
Question 108 does not refer specifically to Ballyfermot. It is a general question.
I know that but it was to establish what kind of facilities are available for this type of area that I asked the question.
In reply to a previous question I said that there is not any point in providing facilities in an area when it has not been proved that that facility is required.
How can one determine whether the demand is there or how can the Minister state that the demand is not there?
By making comparisons. This is the practice. I made comparisons with the nearest adjoining post office which is the one at Chapelizod and, as I said a short while ago, less than one telegram or telegraph money order on average issues from that office in a day. The other adjoining post office at Inchicore has an average of a little more than one per day. As I see it, this establishes the fact that there is not a need for this particular requirement in that area.