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02/07/2008
Post Union Demands Action
Post Offices across Ireland are facing a renewed threat of closure, according to the Postmasters' Union.
Every week, around two post offices are closed in the country, with many never reopening, the union has insisted.
The postmasters have called on the Irish Government to lay down a definite commitment to guarantee a minimum number of offices in the Republic.
St Vincent de Paul, the Irish Farmers' Association, Age Action Ireland and Irish Rural Link all support the union's campaign.
Today, community groups in Dublin are meeting to discuss securing the future of local post offices.
Organised by the Union, today's talks will be attended by groups who have already pledged support for the campaign, including Age Action, the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed and Irish Rural Link.
Union General Secretary John Kane said his colleagues want a clearly structured policy to protect networks.
Officials have warned that the service will collapse in the next few years, if the authorities fail to provide strategic policies and essential safeguards.
What the unions wants is a 'Public Service Obligation', which outlines An Post's availability in rural areas.
The Postmasters say they recognise some offices may not always be financially viable, but instead have a social responsibility to be in existence.
Demands have also been made to make all offices computerised, and the unions wants all welfare benefits to be accessed through their service.
The Republic is reflecting unease on the provision of post offices in the North, where, following a six-week public consultation that ended on 12 May, 38 branches will close, with the first closures scheduled to take place in July.
Post office services will then be provided through a network of 496 branches, which the Post Office has said "all support the national accessibility criteria" introduced by the Government and "ensures that over 94.1% of the population in Northern Ireland will see no change".
See: Four NI Post Offices Spared As 38 Axed
(PR)(BMcC)
Every week, around two post offices are closed in the country, with many never reopening, the union has insisted.
The postmasters have called on the Irish Government to lay down a definite commitment to guarantee a minimum number of offices in the Republic.
St Vincent de Paul, the Irish Farmers' Association, Age Action Ireland and Irish Rural Link all support the union's campaign.
Today, community groups in Dublin are meeting to discuss securing the future of local post offices.
Organised by the Union, today's talks will be attended by groups who have already pledged support for the campaign, including Age Action, the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed and Irish Rural Link.
Union General Secretary John Kane said his colleagues want a clearly structured policy to protect networks.
Officials have warned that the service will collapse in the next few years, if the authorities fail to provide strategic policies and essential safeguards.
What the unions wants is a 'Public Service Obligation', which outlines An Post's availability in rural areas.
The Postmasters say they recognise some offices may not always be financially viable, but instead have a social responsibility to be in existence.
Demands have also been made to make all offices computerised, and the unions wants all welfare benefits to be accessed through their service.
The Republic is reflecting unease on the provision of post offices in the North, where, following a six-week public consultation that ended on 12 May, 38 branches will close, with the first closures scheduled to take place in July.
Post office services will then be provided through a network of 496 branches, which the Post Office has said "all support the national accessibility criteria" introduced by the Government and "ensures that over 94.1% of the population in Northern Ireland will see no change".
See: Four NI Post Offices Spared As 38 Axed
(PR)(BMcC)
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07 March 2017
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Serious concerns have been raised following reports that 80 post office branches could close across rural Ireland. Sinn Féin TD and spokesperson for Communications Brian Stanley said Ireland needs to reinvigorate the network of post offices by extending the services which post offices provide.
Serious Concerns Raised Over Post Office Closures
Serious concerns have been raised following reports that 80 post office branches could close across rural Ireland. Sinn Féin TD and spokesperson for Communications Brian Stanley said Ireland needs to reinvigorate the network of post offices by extending the services which post offices provide.
28 July 2016
New Working Group Established To Examine Post Office Development
A new Working Group has been established to examine how Post Offices could act as community hubs, the Minister of State for Regional Economic Development, Michael Ring, has announced. The examination is to be carried out following a recommendation from the Final Report of the Post Office Network Business Group.
New Working Group Established To Examine Post Office Development
A new Working Group has been established to examine how Post Offices could act as community hubs, the Minister of State for Regional Economic Development, Michael Ring, has announced. The examination is to be carried out following a recommendation from the Final Report of the Post Office Network Business Group.
13 June 2014
Legislation Threatens Future Of Post Office Network – FF
Following changes to the new Social Welfare and Pensions Bill, which removes An Post as the designated payment service provider for social welfare benefits, Fianna Fáil's spokesperson on Social Protection, Willie O'Dea, has expressed his concerns about the future of the Post Office network.
Legislation Threatens Future Of Post Office Network – FF
Following changes to the new Social Welfare and Pensions Bill, which removes An Post as the designated payment service provider for social welfare benefits, Fianna Fáil's spokesperson on Social Protection, Willie O'Dea, has expressed his concerns about the future of the Post Office network.
14 April 2016
Fianna Fáil Commits To Strengthening Post Office Network
Fianna Fáil has said that it is committed to strengthening Ireland's post office network, TD for Waterford Mary Butler has said. Deputy Butler said that a change of direction was needed to ensure that the post office remains at the centre of community life.
Fianna Fáil Commits To Strengthening Post Office Network
Fianna Fáil has said that it is committed to strengthening Ireland's post office network, TD for Waterford Mary Butler has said. Deputy Butler said that a change of direction was needed to ensure that the post office remains at the centre of community life.
24 March 2016
Govt Accused of Undermining Post Office Network
The government has been accused of continuing to undermine the Post Office network across Ireland. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Communications Michael Moynihan made the comments after the Department of Social Protection issued letters to jobseekers recommending that they bypass Post Offices by using financial institutions to receive their payments.
Govt Accused of Undermining Post Office Network
The government has been accused of continuing to undermine the Post Office network across Ireland. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Communications Michael Moynihan made the comments after the Department of Social Protection issued letters to jobseekers recommending that they bypass Post Offices by using financial institutions to receive their payments.
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