'Shocking' - the number of Mayo post offices closed in last 10 years

COMMUNITY NOTES: ERRIS - WESTERN PEOPLE (JULY 29 EDITION)

Mayo Sinn Féin TD, Rose Conway-Walsh, has said that the closure of 18 post offices in County Mayo and 257 across the state in the last 10 years is truly shocking. The figures were confirmed to Sinn Féin in response to a Parliamentary Question.

Teachta Conway-Walsh said: “It is shocking that 18 post offices in Mayo, and 257 across the state have closed over the last 10 years. The figures reveal that across County Mayo, 17 rural and 1 urban post office have been closed in the last decade. The local post office plays a vital role in Irish life, providing financial services, access to the social welfare system, communications infrastructure and community supports. In many areas, they are the only visible expression of the state”.

“There is widespread concern that the current contract terms are simply not fit for purpose. They are not attracting new entrants to take over post office services when long-serving postmasters retire. Without a new approach, as advocated by the Irish Post Office Union, the network will continue to shrink, and more and more communities will lose their post office. That would be a huge blow to social cohesion, particularly in rural areas.

“It’s time for action. What’s needed now is targeted, strategic investment, and a new vision that puts public service and community needs first.”