Renewed confidence has been expressed that a West Clare Post Office on the brink of closure, will survive into the future.
It follows the resignation of Postmasters at two Clare facilities last month.
Earlier this month, the Postmasters in Carrigaholt and Shannon Town Centre respectively both tendered their resignation.
Almost immediately An Post advertised the vacancies with a view to bringing new operators on board and securing the future of both services.
The deadline for expressions of interest expired last Friday and while there’s been no white smoke just yet, confidence has been expressed locally that the Peninsula Post Office will remain.
Cross Fine Gael Councillor Gabriel Keating believes remuneration rates for Postmasters needs to be increased or rural communities will be on the brink of decimation again.
In a statement to Clare FM, An Post says it’s reviewing the applications it’s received for both Shannon and Carrigaholt and that it’s aiming to achieve a seamless transition to a new Postmaster’s Contract.
An Post currently has four advertised vacancies nationwide, with two of them in Clare.
Clarecastle Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom O’Callaghan, who’s also Spokesperson for the Independent Postmasters of Ireland, is hopeful both positions will be filled, but says the Government needs to play an active role in keeping the sector viable.
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