Postmasters welcome retention of Social Welfare Contract by An Post

Postmasters today welcomed the announcement that the contract for cash payment of Social Welfare has been retained by An Post. This means that cash pay-out of social protection payments will continue to be available as it currently is, over the counter at Post Offices for the next two years at least. The announcement made by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection today applies from January 1 2020, and also includes the option for renewal for a further four years, after the initial two-year period. Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) General Secretary Ned O’Hara that the Social Welfare Contract was the single most important contract which Post Offices have, however […]


Postmasters concerned over plan to tender TV Licence service

Postmasters call for all Government Departments to urgently deliver more services at Post Offices Postmasters today voiced concern following the announcement of a plan to tender the contract for TV Licence renewal, included in the Broadcasting Bill published today. The Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) said the collection of TV Licence fees is worth €3m to the Network annually – and very important business for Post Offices. If this business is lost, the IPU warned that it would place hundreds more Post Offices at risk of closing. IPU General Secretary Ned O’Hara said: “Postmasters understand the revenue challenges faced by RTE and difficulties for An Post in collecting the fee. However, […]


Tramore Postmaster becomes President of Irish Postmasters’ Union

June 3, 2019: New Postmasters’ President calls for more Government services through Post Offices Tramore Postmaster Seán Martin has been newly elected as President of the Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU). Mr. Martin has been Postmaster in Tramore Co. Waterford for 27 years and a member of the IPU Executive Council for 20 years, including 12 as Treasurer. Seán Martin said his priority will be to continue to develop the role of the Post Office, particularly in becoming ‘the State on Your Doorstep’ for all essential Government services. “While I don’t underestimate the challenges involved, I want to assure Postmasters and communities that expanding the range of State services available at […]


IPU ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2019: Future of Post Offices hangs on greater provision of Government services

May 10, 2019: Postmasters call for all Government Departments to deliver more services at Post Offices Postmasters today said that the future of Post Offices hangs on Government policy – and called for a major expansion of public services provided through the Network. The call for Government action is the theme of the Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) Annual Conference, which takes place at the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise (May 11 & 12). During the past year Postmasters have worked with An Post and Government on a major transformation which has seen the Network reduce by 152. It now comprises 911 Postmaster and 45 An Post run Offices. A new […]


Longford Postmaster elected to Board of An Post

January 14, 2019: Longford Postmaster Pádraig McNamara has been elected as Postmaster Director to the Board of An Post. Mr. McNamara has been Postmaster at Granard for 22 years and a member of the Irish Postmasters’ Union Executive for 17 years and served as Vice President. In his role as Postmaster Director he will represent the interests of Postmasters and the communities they serve at the highest level of decision making in An Post. Mr. McNamara said he has been fully committed to maximising the services which Post Offices provide to communities during all of his time as Postmaster and will bring his many years of experience to the role. “Keeping as large a […]


Postmasters welcome ‘Digital Assist’ programme at ten Post Offices

October 1, 2018:  The Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) today welcomed the announcement of the Digital Assist pilot programme in ten rural Post Offices across the country. The announcement includes government funding of €80,000 to equip ten Post Offices with kiosk units to help citizens access Government and Local Authority information and services. The specially designed units will offer people the facility within the community to easily find State and Local Authority information and Postmasters at each Office have been trained in use of the machines. In addition people can print out their important information free of charge. The first kiosk has been unveiled at Fogarty’s Quickpick and Post Office in […]


Kiwi community banking ‘not a panacea’ for challenges faced by Post Office Network

September 18, 2018: Post Offices need many new services, continued investment and greater use from public  The Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) today said that ‘Kiwi community banking’ does not provide a ‘panacea solution’ to the challenges faced by the Post Office Network. IPU General Secretary Ned O’Hara said while that today’s Post Office Dáil march was heartfelt and well-intended, its organisers were misleading communities in presenting ‘Kiwi community banking’ as one-fix-all solution for keeping non-viable Post Offices open. The IPU, which represents approximately 90% of Postmasters, said that the challenges faced by the Network are multi-faceted, as are the solutions and efforts are underway to address these. For example, significant financial and […]


STATEMENT on €50m investment plan for the Post Office Network

August 31, 2018: Post Office closures are happening because of a very challenging context The exits are voluntary and should be respected Consolidation and new services will strengthen the remaining 960 Post Offices An Post must publish a timeline for the roll out of new services The Network will need further review and forward planning in 2020. Context In an ideal world all Post Offices would be thriving and staying open. However, the 159 Offices which have voluntarily chosen to close, as confirmed by An Post on August 28, have been operating within a very challenging context. The overall Network has been in serious decline for many years and significant […]


IPU thanks retiring Postmasters for their service

August 31, 2018: Postmasters call for timeline on new services in Post Offices The Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) today thanked and wished well Postmasters and Postmistresses across the country who have voluntarily opted to close their Post Offices. This follows the announcement this week by An Post that 159 Post Offices have opted to retire and accept a voluntary exit package offered under a plan which was agreed between the IPU and An Post. The €50m investment plan was agreed by the IPU Executive and An Post last April and supported by 80% of IPU members in a Ballot. IPU General Secretary Ned O’Hara said: “It is with regret that […]


Postmasters call for long-term commitment on Social Welfare contract

May 21, 2018: The Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) has called for long-term commitment that Social Welfare payments will continue to be transacted through Post Offices – and for a timeline for new services. Speaking at the IPU’s 2018 Annual General Conference in Cavan at the weekend, General Secretary Ned O’Hara called for certainty that Social Welfare payments would continue to be transacted through the Post Office Network into the long-term. Social Welfare payments account for 40% of all Post Office activity, and together with spin off transactions bring 60% of all business into Post Offices. The IPU also called on An Post to make public a detailed plan and timeline […]