Deputy Pearse Doherty has called on An Post to retain Post Office services in Dunlewey and to immediately advertise the branch licence to all interested parties.
Deputy Doherty’s comments come following a meeting he hosted today in Dunlewey between a local derogation, Public Representatives and An Post officials to discuss the future of the village’s Post Office.
This follows a decision by the company to place the branch out to Public Consultation.
Speaking following today’s meeting, Deputy Doherty said “I organised today’s meeting with officials from An Post to allow for a local derogation to meet with the company, face to face, and to relay the wishes of the local community surrounding the future of their Post Office.
“Dunlewey Post Office, like in other rural areas, has been at the very heart of this community for generations and it was crucial that the company sat down to meet with the very people who would be directly affected by any decision made in relation to the branch.
“I was very pleased that An Post agreed to facilitate today’s meeting and for representatives from the company to come to Dunlewey and see for themselves just how important this service is to local residents and businesses owners.
“The company has agreed that the feedback which it has received today from local people shall be included as part of the public consultation into the branch, and the firm has stated this input will be considered and taken into account before the company makes any final decision in respect of the fate of the branch, which officials have informed me is expected within the next two weeks.
“While I am very happy with the level of co-operation and the engagement given by officials from the company at today’s meeting, I would encourage An Post to give this matter thoughtful consideration and to be very mindful of the needs of this community as part of this process.
“I am therefore calling on An Post to retain a Post Office service in Dunlewey and to immediately put the contract for the local branch out to a competitive tendering process to all interested parties in order to ensure that the survival of the branch may be guaranteed for the foreseeable future.
“Finally, I’d like to thank the members of the local derogation who attended and participated in today’s meeting, and indeed for the collective efforts of the local community who have worked hard over recent weeks to ensure that everyone had their submissions in on time to stress the importance of this vital service.
“Some 59 individual submissions were lodged with the company and for such a huge response to have been made by a small community like Dunlewey is simply incredible.”