asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the steps he proposes to take to improve the facilities available to the public in Raheny post office, Dublin, having regard to the physical inadequacy of the present premises.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Raheny (Dublin) Post Office.
19.
I agree with the Deputy that the post office premises at Raheny are proving physically inadequate for the pressure generated by housing expansion in the area generally. I have been taking steps to relieve this pressure by the establishment of new sub-post offices. One such was opened at Donaghmede shopping centre last month. I have also approved the establishment of a new sub-post office at Kilbarrack and it is hoped that it will be possible to appoint a postmaster there shortly. I hope that these steps will so relieve the pressure on Raheny that the normal good standard of service there can be maintained at all times. I shall keep the situation under review.
Would the Minister accept that even with the provision of the additional sub-post office Raheny is still expected to serve a very large number of people and that, physically, it is not adequate for the number of people it has to serve? Unless a considerably larger number of sub-post offices are set up the only solution would appear to be a more suitable premises in Raheny.
I can assure the Deputy that I am not less concerned than he is with this situation. As I have informed the Deputy I will keep the situation under review. If necessary we should look for expanded premises at Raheny but we want to see what the effect on the situation of the opening of the new sub-post offices will be at Donaghmede and Kilbarrack before taking action.
Is the Minister aware of the considerable inconvenience to which people resorting to Raheny post office are subjected to? In view of that will he not just keep the matter under review but take action as fast as possible to relieve it?
I am well aware of the concern in the area and I am closely in touch with a number of residents concerning this question.