An Post still fighting to keep Annagry post office open
An Post has declared that it is still fighting to keep Annagry Post Office alive.
Time is running out on to save an institution that has been the heartbeat of the local village that is located in West Donegal.
An Post officials have launched a last-minute appeal to find contractors willing to take the contract on.
The current Postmistress Breid McCole is retiring on July 31st, and An Post have been unable to find someone willing to take on the provision of post office services in Annagry.
An Post has advertised the vacant contract and canvassed locally but to no avail.
If no contractor is found, then inevitably the post office will have to close.
An Post will transfer DSP payment customers to Dungloe, which is 11.5km away.
Customers will also be able to access services there, as well as at the post offices in Derrybeg, 11.5km away, and Kincasslagh, 7km away.
There has been anger expressed by local politicians, including Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty, who raised the matter in the Dáil on Tuesday.
He blasted the government for not paying postmasters and postmistresses in rural communities across the country a 'proper salary'.
However, An Post has stood over the viability of the business model.
A spokesperson said, "Post office contracts present worthwhile business opportunities to local service providers particularly when paired or co-located with an existing local business."
Post office incomes nationally have a been boosted this year in particular the growth in parcel business and increased commission rates payable to postmasters by An Post.
Donegal County Councillor Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig has also voiced strong frustration and opposition to the closure and has led local efforts to keep Annagry Post Office.
Mac Giolla Easbuig said, "If the Post Office closes, then this area has lost a critical service, and it puts huge pressure on local residents with mobility issues and those lacking private transport."
Also, by the second phase of state support for Postmasters which was being steered through the Dail this week by Minister of State Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue.
The spokesperson added, "We have not yet given up hope of finding a new contractor in Annagry. An Post will keep working to secure the local post office for the future. We remain open to expressions of interest even at this late stage. We want to keep the post office in Annagry and maintain the local service."
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme