There was anger yesterday among consumer groups and local representatives to the announcement that a total of 27 out of 81 ESB shops are to be closed at the end of August as part of the company's restructuring operation.
Donegal South West TD, Mr Dinny McGinley (FG), said: "The decision by the ESB to close a third of all its stores is yet another blow by a semi-State company at the fabric of life in rural Ireland."
Mr Dermot Jewell, of the Consumers Association of Ireland, said the outlets were a facility for helping people who had difficulties not just for paying bills.
"They will be sadly missed in the communities. They provide a point of contact and this is just another example of the loss of quality of customer service," he said.
Up to 60 employees were told that those with permanent jobs would have the option of either accepting a voluntary severance package or redeployment in other areas of the company.
A statement issued by the ESB said this final stage of the closure process followed a comprehensive review of the company's retail operations and a confirmation of the decision on the future of non-viable locations.
It stated that over the past two years, the ESB had developed a number of other bill payment options so that customers would not be affected by this decision.
Customers could pay their bills through: 1,600 An Post outlets nationwide; the chain of over 140 PayPoint outlets located at filling stations and convenience stores; Direct Debit; Cheques or postal orders mailed to the company; phone banking; Internet banking at Billpay.ie
All regular customers of the 27 shops in the last year will be contacted by post in the coming weeks. It is anticipated that the shops will close at the end of August. Customers can contact the ESB at 1850 372 372. The company said the ESB unions had been informed of the decision and were now commencing a consultation process with staff.
The general secretary of the ESB Officers Association, Mr Tony Dunne, said yesterday that the closures were not a surprise. They had been in negotiations for some time. "These are pretty well mostly smaller shops. Nevertheless removing an ESB shop from a town is significant for the community," he said.
There were a number of temporary people who perhaps worked three or four days a week or have six monthly renewable contracts who would be affected, Mr Dunne said.
The 27 shops which are affected are in the following areas:
Co Carlow: Tullow: Co Clare; Kilrush, Shannon; Co Cork: Ballincollig, Cobh, Charleville, Fermoy, Kanturk, Midleton; Co Donegal: Ballyshannon, Falcarragh, Killybegs; Co Galway: Ballinasloe, Loughrea, Tuam; Co Kerry: Killarney; Co Kildare: Athy; Co Mayo: Belmullet, Westport; Co Meath: Enfield; Co Monaghan: Carrickmacross; Co Offaly: Birr, Edenderry; Co Roscommon: Roscommon; Co Tipperary: Tipperary; Co Waterford: Dungarvan; Co Wexford: Newross.