Loss of postal services continuing to cause ‘real hardship’ for Offaly community

The continued absence of postal services is causing “real hardship” for a local community in County Offaly, the Dáil has heard.

The issue was raised by Fianna Fáil TD Tony McCormack during a recent ‘Questions on Policy or Legislation’ session.

Deputy McCormack said: “I would like to raise the continued delay in reinstating full An Post services at Doolan's in Blue Ball, County Offaly.

“This matter has been ongoing since Christmas. It is causing real hardship, particularly for elderly and vulnerable residents who rely on having essential services available within their community.

“While An Post has indicated that the outlet will be reinstated, the length of time this process is taking is increasingly difficult to understand.”

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He called on the Government to work with An Post to make sure the services are reinstated as soon as possible.

“This is especially the case given that An Post has acknowledged that the level of business previously conducted there exceeded that of many of its own full post offices nationwide.

“My concern is that this prolonged delay may be a tactic to have people become accustomed to travelling elsewhere only for a decision to be taken not to reinstate the service.

“Will the Government now facilitate urgent engagement with the relevant Minister to ensure this outlet is restored without further delay?”

In response to Deputy McCormack, Tánaiste Simon Harris said he would liaise with Minister Patrick O’Donovan on the issue.

The Tánaiste stated: “I thank Deputy McCormack for raising this issue about his constituents and Blue Ball, the impact that is having on them and his concerns regarding the delay in terms of the restoration of the service and the understandable anxiety that is creating in the community as to whether the service will be reinstated.

“On foot of the deputy raising it here today, I will ask the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, who has ministerial responsibility for our postal services, to engage with An Post and come back to the deputy directly.”

An Post services at Tom Doolan’s Spar in Blueball were ceased without notice on December 29.

In early January, Deputy McCormack announced that the services were due to be reinstated shortly.

It is understood that the cessation of the services related to a broadband change which An Post services were incompatible with.