'An Post failing to deliver incentives to open new offices' - Byrne
An Post has been accused of making it impossible for new post officeS to open because of its “difficult” terms and conditions.
Deputy Thomas Byrne said that while An Post has indicated it wanted to have a post office in Kentstown, there was little hope of anyone opening such a facility there because of the extremely onerous operating challenges set out by An Post.
This comes in the wake of Minister Regina Doherty putting a call out to the community of Kentstown and surrounding areas to help find someone to run their new Post Office in the village.
Last September, An Post announced the opening of a number of new post offices around the country, consolidating post offices from smaller areas that had closed. The need for a post office in Kentstown was identified.
Minister Doherty says that since then, An Post have advertised for someone to run the office not once, but twice, but received very little response each time.
Deputy Byrne said this was hardly surprising as the conditions are extremely unfavourable and are a disincentive to anyone hoping to run the post office.
“I know of people who have been talking to An Post over the past six months and it is just not possible for them to run a post office under the onerous terms and conditions applied by An Post.
“They are making it too difficult for people who are interested, This is going to be a problem all around the country,” he predicted.
Deputy Byrne raised the issue in the Dáil last week.
He said he welcomed Minister Doherty's involvement in the case, even if it is very late in the day.
Minister Regina Doherty said: “Kentstown historically has often missed out on investment and upgrades, so I was really pleased last year when An Post acknowledged the need for a post office in the area. This part of the county has been left without a post office since the closure of Tara Post office last year, and the death of the post mistress in Balrath some years ago.
“It's unfortunate that no one has yet been found to run the office so I am hoping to bring more awareness to the vacancy in the hopes that it might suit someone local who is in a position to stand up and work with An Post to deliver this crucial service for the wider area. I am sure that there is someone out there who could take this great opportunity and provide a great local service for the whole community.
“Anybody interested in the opportunity can find more details at anpost.ie”
A spokesperson for An Post said they remain open to an approach from anyone interested in providing post office services in Kentstown. “This presents a good business opportunity for someone, particularly with a view to co-locating with another business.
“An Post rejects the suggestion that the normal business terms and conditions applied in such cases are restrictive,” he said.
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In this week's edition of the Meath Chronicle carrying the above story, we mistakenly carried a picture of Carnaross PO, and not Carlanstown PO which has been the subject of a downgrade and loss of post office services. Carnaross PO is trading normally and we apologise for this error and are happy to clarify the matter.