asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if, in view of the fact that letters are at present delivered in the Sooey parish of County Sligo between 12 noon and 3 p.m. and that this sometimes inconveniences the local people, arrangements will be made to have postal deliveries made earlier in the day.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Sligo Postal Delivery.
116.
Adjustments have been made in the delivery arrangements which will ensure that delivery in the area will commence about 10 a.m. and finish about 1 p.m.
It is very unfair that postal deliveries in any part of the country should be as late as 12 or 1 o'clock in the day. There are very few areas in which there is no postman but here there is the denial of an appointment to this area. It is very inconvenient for clergymen, business people or the farming community to be deprived of their mail until such time in the day as a man comes from another parish. There is no excuse for this in this day and age when there are people available and who could be appointed.
The Deputy can be assured that we are not very pleased with the record of delivery in that particular area and it is hoped that this route as well as one or two others will be motorised in the near future.
It would be very easy to appoint a part-time man there.
This route should be amalgamated with one or two others and that would improve the service considerably.
Does the Minister think it a good idea that in a place where there are people unemployed a person driving a van should do the work of six or seven men?
That is a separate question.
Would it not be much better if a local man was appointed to do the work and to keep an Irishman in a job at home?
Statements are being made at the moment.
A temporary postman could be appointed.
The Deputy is now making suggestions to the Chair for which the Chair has no responsibility.
I can assure the Deputy that there is no question of displacing anybody.
That is happening all over Ireland.
The Dáil adjourned at 5.45 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 22nd June, 1971.