The company was reacting to calls from one Dublin councillor urging An Post to make indoor facilities at the GPO temporarily available for homeless outreach.
However, An Post has now dismissed the idea, highlighting that “the GPO is Ireland’s most important historical building”.
Last October, the city centre taskforce recommended the GPO be repurposed “as a major public building”, with suggestions that it could become a world class museum, or the new home for RTÉ.
Former Lord Mayor, councillor Dermot Lacey, has called for An Post to make the catering facilities at the GPO available as an indoor soup kitchen.
“Given that the majority of An Post staff have now moved out of the GPO and that An Post is looking for future use of the iconic building, it might be useful for An Post to consider making their catering facilities available for temporary use to the providers of soup kitchens, and related services, to those in need,” councillor Lacey said.
“The An Post Chief Executive has been vocal about moving essential services like food provision off the streets and into indoor spaces that provide dignity and support for people in need.
“The GPO, as a central and symbolic location in Dublin, has catering facilities that are underutilised and could provide an immediate, short-term solution.
“While we wait for permanent infrastructure to be put in place, opening these facilities, even temporarily, could serve as a vital bridge for the city to meet this demand.
“I’m calling on An Post to engage with community organisations and Dublin City Council to explore the feasibility of opening the GPO canteen as an indoor soup kitchen.”
However, a spokesperson from An Post said: “The GPO, Ireland’s most important historical building, is managed and maintained by An Post on behalf of the State. It is totally unsuitable for use as a soup kitchen venue.
“This is not a trivial issue. The Dublin Taskforce Report’s recommendation concerning soup kitchens, which was informed by experts in homeless support services, is for a professional approach and customised facilities.”
