Staff at two post offices in Co Clare have been told that An Post intends centralising mail sorting services in Shannon. The company denied this is the first step towards closing both facilities, saying it is part of a reorganisation of delivery arrangements in the area.
At present, letter and parcel post for the villages of Newmarket-on-Fergus and Sixmilebridge are sorted on site in the respective post offices. An Post now plans to move all mail sorting for the area to Shannon. Ten staff are employed between the two offices.
Acknowledging there have been "some customer service issues" in the Shannon area recently, An Post says: "In the interest of improved service and efficiency, we are reviewing options regarding delivery service operations in these areas. A review of delivery arrangements in that whole area is currently being finalised."
Local councillor John Crowe says he is "totally opposed to any plan which would see a dilution of services in either village. Sixmilebridge and Newmarket are expanding all the time and, if anything, An Post should be upgrading facilities and services here. The population is growing in these areas and what we need are more not less services."
Sixmilebridge Business Association chairman PJ Ryan expressed concern that the future of the offices in Newmarket-on- Fergus and Sixmilebridge is now in doubt.
A company spokeswoman said: "The company has no plan to close any post office anywhere. The contract to run a local post office is held by a postmaster or postmistress until such time as they choose to retire or resign."