Over the past decade, a total of 257 post offices have been shut down across Ireland, based on figures obtained by Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane through a parliamentary query, reports RTE.
Cork experienced the highest number of closures, with 22 offices closing in rural locations and another 12 shutting in urban areas.
Dublin lost 21 post offices during the same period, while Galway saw 21 closures in rural parts of the county, reports RTE.
Other affected counties included Donegal (19), Mayo (18), Kerry (15), Wexford (15), Limerick (12), and Tipperary (11).
“It is shocking that 257 post offices closed in the last ten years,” Mr Cullinane said, reports RTE.
“The local post office plays a vital role in Irish life, providing financial services, access to the social welfare system, communications infrastructure and community supports,” reports RTE.
“In many areas, they are the only visible expression of the State,” reports RTE.
The TD for Waterford expressed alarm that current contract conditions are “simply not fit for purpose.” He said that because of this, new candidates are not stepping in to replace retiring postmasters.
“Without a new approach as advocated by the IPU, the network will shrink – and more communities will lose their post office,” he said, reports RTE.
“That would be a huge blow to social cohesion and rural life,” reports RTE.
Mr Cullinane urged immediate action, stating that the Government “cannot continue to ignore the crisis in our post office network”.
“What’s needed now is targeted, strategic investment, and a new vision that puts public service and community needs first,” reports RTE.
Last month, postmasters issued a warning that 40% of post offices could be forced to close unless the Government increases financial support for the network.
The Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) has proposed a 50% boost in State funding, raising it to €15 million annually for a period of five years to keep the service operational, reports RTE.
Currently, the network is allocated €10 million a year, but the IPU maintains this amount is insufficient.
Sandra Tormey, the union’s General Secretary, told the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications that 108 postmasters earn less than the minimum wage once expenses are deducted.
She explained that internal polling among members highlights the severity of the situation, reports RTE.
“If the Government funding stays the same at €10 million, 40% will have to close. We’ve had to absorb 30% minimum wage increases and 15% inflation,” she said.
“We cannot increase our prices to make our businesses viable. We cannot avail of any supports that Government gives because we are deemed services and not retailers,” reports RTE.
She added that if the funding were raised to €15 million, 70% of members could see a sustainable future.
According to the union, this level of funding would allow for greater availability of in-person public services, assist in identity verification, and help combat fraud on behalf of various departments and agencies, reports RTE.
Fine Gael TD Micheál Carrigy noted that the post office operated by his family in Ballinalee, Co Longford, would face closure without the proposed increase in funding.
“It would be one of the 40% who would go if funding wasn’t in place, the ten million has worked. As a postmaster, we need that €15 million, not just me, but hundreds of other offices and communities across the country,” reports RTE.
An Post CEO David McRedmond said the semi-State body acts as the liaison between the IPU and the Government, but he also expressed support for the union’s call for more funding.
He cited a 32% drop in transactions since 2019.
The Government has stated it remains committed to ensuring a viable An Post and post office network, which it considers a crucial part of Ireland’s social and economic framework, reports RTE.
To assist the network, the Government has agreed to provide €10 million annually from 2023 to 2025, with €25 million distributed to date.
According to the Department of Media, most of the closures mentioned occurred before this funding began in 2023, reports RTE.
The current Programme for Government includes a pledge to secure further financial backing for the post office system, with the Department now in active discussions with other stakeholders and Government departments.
An Post is legally responsible for the State’s mail service and the post office network. Any decisions concerning operations are made by its board and management, and the Government has no direct role in these matters, reports RTE.
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