asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the plans his Department have to provide a sub-post office at the new shopping centre, Limekiln Farm, Greenhills Estate, Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Post Office Facilities.
111.
There are no plans to establish a sub-post office at Limekiln Farm shopping centre. The sub-post offices at Walkinstown and Perrystown are both within about three-quarter mile of the shopping centre and are regarded as catering reasonably for the Limekiln Farm area. Post office facilities in the general neighbourhood will, however, be kept under review in the light of further housing development.
112.
asked the Minister for Posts an Telegraphs the plans his Department have to provide better post office facilities in the Tallaght area, Dublin.
Agreement has recently been reached on the renting of new and better accommodation for the post office at Tallaght. Counter and delivery services will be transferred to the new premises when the necessary legal formalities have been completed and certain adaptation works have been carried out, probably in about six months. Counter and delivery staffing have been and will continue to be kept under constant review in order to meet the growing needs of this fast-developing area.
113.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will arrange to have a post office provided in the Calderwood area of Dublin city as soon as possible.
The establishment of a post office in the area mentioned would not be warranted. The existing offices at Collins Avenue and Upper Drumcondra Road are both within about a half mile of the area and are considered to provide a reasonable service to the residents.
I am disappointed at the Minister's answer. He and I both represent this area. I thought he would be more forthcoming. Is the Minister aware that there was a post office in this area and another at the top of Philipsburgh Avenue. Neither of these offices now exists. Consequently the people of this area are very seriously inconvenienced by the lack of these facilities which were formerly provided for them.
As Deputy Haughey says, we both have the honour of representing this area. I would certainly like, as he would, to facilitate the residents there. As Minister for Posts and Telegraphs I think I could be faulted if I were to discriminate in favour of an area which I represent as a TD. I am conscious of the demand in the area. It is true, as the Deputy says, that until May last there was an office in Philipsburgh Avenue which was more convenient for some Calderwood residents. That post office had to be closed on 31st May last on the resignation of the former sub-postmaster. No candidate with suitably located premises could be found to fill the vacancy. It is not so easy now, as urban Deputies will be aware, to find sub-postmasters in urban areas. This often accounts for the placing of the premises concerned. It has not been possible since then to obtain a candidate for the vacancy with suitably located premises.
Do I take it from the explanation which the Minister has given that the Minister and his Department would be prepared, and perhaps consider it desirable, to provide these facilities somewhere in this area if suitable premises could be found?
We will certainly keep the matter under review. I am very happy to keep in touch with the Deputy on the subject.
Why has the Minister not called on his own local post office since his appointment?
That is irrelevant.
I have called several times.
Question No. 114 postponed.
115.
Mr. Kitt
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why two important letters (covers supplied) posted in Dublin at 9.15 p.m. on Monday, 25th February, 1974, and at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, 27th February, 1974, respectively, were not received by the addressee in County Galway until Saturday, 2nd March, 1974.
The letters in question would have been due for delivery on 27th and 28th February respectively. I am afraid that the inquiries which have been possible have not revealed a satisfactory explanation of the quite excessive delays experienced. I should like to express to the Deputy my regret for any trouble and inconvenience caused him as a result of the delays.