Ottoline Spearman An Post has brought forward the last parcel posting date to December 16th for Christmas delivery within Ireland and the UK. The last postal date for parcels to Europe is December 12th. Parcels to countries such as Australia or the United States need to be posted by December 4th. The deadline applies to business and personal customers sending parcels. An Post said it is unlikely that it will have the capacity to handle all increased parcel deliveries in the wake of the collapse of Fastway Couriers. Parcel volumes are expected to hit three million a week in the run-up to Christmas.

Surge in delivery demand

Speaking on Newstalk, Head of Corporate Communications at An Post, Anna McHugh, said: "It will definitely be the busiest Christmas ever for parcels. We're doing everything we can, particularly for those SMEs who've been left without a delivery partner. "It's too early to know exactly how much of that volume will come into An Post." She added: "We're certainly not in a position to be able to take on all new large customers who'd like to do business with us." Last year, revenue from parcel delivery increased by 12.6 per cent to over €20 million. 54 million parcels were delivered, with that number expected to be surpassed this year. For the latest Waterford News and Sport,tune into WLR News on the hour and download the WLR App for news on demand