A total of 257 post offices have ceased operations nationwide over the past ten years, Waterford Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane has revealed, following a response to a parliamentary question.

The county with the most closures was Cork, which lost 34 post offices in total — 22 in rural districts and 12 in more urbanised locations. 8 closed in Waterford between 2015 and 2025 – 5 of which were rural.

In Dublin, 21 post offices closed their doors during the same period. Galway also experienced 21 shutdowns, all in non-urban areas.

Other counties hit by closures include 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.

“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.

“In many areas, they are the only visible expression of the State.”

Deputy Cullinane pointed to what he described as growing frustration within communities and among postmasters regarding outdated contract terms, which he said are failing to attract new operators when older postmasters step down.

“Without a new approach as advocated by the IPU, the network will shrink – and more communities will lose their post office,” he said.

“That would be a huge blow to social cohesion and rural life.”

He criticised the Government’s handling of the issue, calling for an urgent and comprehensive policy shift.

“The Government cannot continue to ignore the crisis in our post office network,” Mr Cullinane said.

“What’s needed now is targeted, strategic investment, and a new vision that puts public service and community needs first.”

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