asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will reconsider his decision with regard to the closure of Cadamstown post office, County Kildare, in view of the fact that £2,860 worth of stamps and postal orders were sold there in the past year, 64 telephone accounts were handled, 19 parents drew children's allowance and nine pensioners were facilitated each week and that it would be a hardship to the local community if the post office were closed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cadamstown (Kildare) Post Office.
54.
The primary justification for the sub-office at Cadamstown was to provide for telephone exchange working. The office would not be warranted by the volume of purely counter business transacted particularly in view of the fact that there are two other offices within about three miles of the area. The postmistress of Cadamstown resigned recently because of her stated inability to cope with the operation of the telephone exchange and efforts to recruit a replacement were unsuccessful. The telephone subscribers were, therefore, transferred to another exchange and the office closed from 1st January.
If it was possible to get another postmistress would the Minister consider reopening the post office because its closure is creating great hardship in this rural area. The two post offices mentioned are on the northern side of the area. The people in the other area have to travel quite a distance to them. Is he also aware that there was a petition with 115 names sent to his Department to have this office reopened?
I appreciate the Deputy's point but the volume of business at this sub-office was very small. The amount of business done at sub-offices where remuneration is less than £750 per year is regarded as uneconomic. The amount of work done at Cadamstown Post Office warranted a remuneration of £451. The cost of selling £1 worth of postage stamps in an office of this size exceeds 60p. The business, if concentrated, would not occupy as much as half a day a week. In those circumstances I do not think I would be justified in reopening that post office even if there were an applicant.
Would the Minister send an official from his Department to look after the service which was always there?
Deputy Crinion asked a serious question.
Question No. 55.
Is the Minister aware that the community council in the parish are very concerned about this and have petitioned his Department to reopen the sub-office?
This is making an argument.
This is a purely rural area that has no village or town to provide the service.
Question No. 55. Deputy Crinion must not make an argument at Question Time.
Is it inside or outside the Pale?
Inside.
Question No. 55.
I will consider any representations made, but in the light of the figures I have given I cannot hold out much hope.