Following announcements that a number of Co Kildare rural post offices look set to close, it has been revealed that nationally 161 postmasters have applied for the Company’s voluntary retirement package.
This will likely result in the closure of 161 post offices out of a network of 1,111 post offices. The remaining network of 950 post offices is the largest retail network in Ireland. The list of post offices closing will be issued at the end of August once the details have been confirmed with each Postmaster.
A Co Kildare politician says the looming closures of two Co Kildare post offices is 'devastating'
According to Cllr Martin Miley An Post announces plans to shut down post offices in Moone and Donadea.
He said: "Thinking about the wider community particularly the elderly in Moone who use this post office and a constant basis."
AnPost, the Irish Postmasters Union and postmasters are in agreement that the consolidation of the network and the subsequent transfer of business to neighbouring offices is essential to the sustainability of the overall network and the continued provision of services in local communities. Mail delivery and collection services are not affected.
A spokesperson from An Post said: "An Post reaffirms its commitment that communities of over 500 people will have a post office and that over 95% of the population will be within 15km of at least one post office. All island post offices are being retained."
The spokesperson said: "To meet the above coverage commitments, An Post will also publish at the end of August a target list of new post office locations.A new modern retail contract which is being rolled out to postmasters will include lunchtime opening. An Post is committed to ensuring a vibrant network for all our customers and to extending our range of Financial, Government and E-Commerce services. We are well advanced with plans for a €50m investment in post offices which will see a modern look and feel across the network and improved service to all customers."
Debbie Byrne, MD of An Post Retail said:" Some closures were inevitable in a network that has been largely unchanged for many years. The consolidation of post office business will strengthen the remaining post offices, and the development of a wide range of new services over the coming months and years will see a reinvigorated network across 950 post offices. We appreciate that these decisions have not been easy for the individual Postmasters and we are grateful for their dedication over many years of service in their communities."
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