Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring TD is calling on An Post to re-advertise the contract for the post office services in Knockmore.
With the closure of the current post office in Knockmore on May 1, customers will be transferred to An Post offices in Foxford and either of An Post’s two offices in Ballina.
According to The Save Knockmore Post Office Action Committee, there are a number of people interested in applying to operate the Post Office in Knockmore.
“There is a population of over 4,000 in that particular area. Now that people are aware that their post office facility could be lost, they will be more conscious of using the local post office if the contract were awarded to somebody else in the community. It is believed that with the local support that has been strongly promised by the community, a Post Office could generate a lot more business for An Post.”
“At present there is a high usage of the post Office but with a new structure in place, I believe that the Post Office business in the Knockmore area could be increased.
“The closure of the Post Office would be a big blow for Knockmore and rural Ireland. Enough is enough. People are now saying that they want to keep their rural post office services. I wish to add my support to this campaign. I am now calling on An Post to review their decision. I have made contact with An Post and I am continuing to try and encourage An Post to immediately put this out to tender, to seek a new contractor to provide post office services in Knockmore.
“It is notable that An Post are themselves eager to tender for the National Lottery licence yet they are not giving people the chance to tender for the post office service contract in Knockmore”, concluded Minister Ring.
