The Post Officer network is in danger of collapsing without government assistance, according to a new independent report.
The Grant Thornton review, commissioned by the Irish Postmasters Union (IPU), says the network is at a 'critical juncture'.
It's recommending government provide 17 million euro a year in supports to avoid large-scale post office closures.
Tramore postmaster and President of the IPU Sean Martin says the decline in footfall and incomes is a serious worry. Postmasters are paid by transaction, and although the perception is that the Post office is doing well because of parcel deliveries, this is not the case:
"There might be a pick up in parcels but the letters have really dropped off so it's probably balancing out".
Sean says the other issue they're finding is that the switch to fortnightly payments has also created problems for people who are having difficulty managing their budget.
He said the Government needs to act with urgency – and no further review, report, or working group process is now needed.
“We have already had the Bobby Kerr led independent review in 2016, followed by a detailed working group including IPU, An Post and government in 2018. And there has been further review group process in 2020 and now we have a comprehensive financial, economic and social analysis from Grant Thornton.
“A Post Office PSO needs to be sanctioned this year and implemented by mid-2021. We do not have time to delay and do not need further evidence. The level of closures next year is potentially so significant as to mean a collapse of the Irish Post Office Network as we know it.”
Postmaster Tony Wall (left) and Irish Postmasters’ Union General Secretary Ned O’Hara (right) back the recommendations of a Grant Thornton report that Government introduce a Public Service Obligation to maintain the Post Office Network in comunities across the country.
