For years the local post office has been far more than a place at which to post a letter or collect a pension. In towns and villages up and down the country, the post office is essential to communities. It is a trusted service, a provider of employment and for many who are isolated, an important point of human contact. However, we are continuing to watch local post offices come under pressure, reduce services and shorten opening hours, and there is a constant fear of further closures in communities. This fear is not without reason. In January, Tulrohaun post office in Mayo closed after 150 years of service. Good luck to Catherine Delaney, the postmaster, who retired after 71 years of service. This brings to 19 the number of post offices that have closed in Mayo in the past decade. In October 2025, I was made aware of plans to close the Erris postal sorting centre in Barnatra. That sorting centre employs 13 postmen covering the Erris region, which is the size of County Louth. The facility in Barnatra was purpose-built in 2019 at a private cost, following assurances that no other sorting lease would be signed and it could operate the service long term. In October, however, the staff were made aware there had been a decision to close the centre, requiring each of the 13 postmen to travel to the amalgamated sorting centre in Ballina, which would be a two-hour round trip daily. Through extensive engagement by the postal workers, the postmaster, me and Councillor Gerry Coyle, An Post confirmed Barnatra sorting office would remain open. I am pleased it listened to those concerns. Only three months later, Ballyhaunis delivery service unit faces a similar fate. An Post confirmed plans to amalgamate the Ballyhaunis delivery service unit to Castlereagh. That service unit employs 13 local staff who are living in the community locally. Relocating this service would cause significant disruption to those employees and have a huge impact on the local economy. They have already lost two banks and a courthouse. The loss of this unit will have a very negative impact. I commend Councillor Alma Gallagher and the Ballyhaunis Chamber president, Anne Cunnane, on their extensive efforts to stop this. They are supported in their efforts by over 3,500 local people who voiced their concerns in a petition. The staff feel hoodwinked by An Post and their union and are dismayed with the engagement so far. I welcome the recent announcement of €15 million per annum for the remainder of this Government term to support the stability and sustainability of the nationwide network of post offices. However, we need to engage closely on the ground with all stakeholders to ensure this funding is deployed effectively and sustainably.

Sentiment score: 0.08