Irish Postmasters’ Union Annual Conference 2023: Postmasters have called on the public to use their Post Office, to sustain local services which support communities and businesses. Speaking ahead of the Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) annual conference in Cork this weekend, General Secretary Tony Howard said members of the public have a central role to play in keeping their local Post Office open – ‘by using it’. “The Post Office Network has been evolving year on year and offers comprehensive banking services, including a full a current account. An advantage of the Post Office is that these services can be accessed in person in almost 900 locations – the largest retail […]
Postmasters announce new General Secretary
Postmasters today announced a new General Secretary – who stated his commitment to maintaining Post Office services in communities throughout the country. The new Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) General Secretary is Tony Howard who now takes over from Ned O’Hara who has been in post since 2014. Beginning his tenure Tony Howard thanked Ned O’Hara, who will retire at the end of this month, for an excellent service to Postmasters and the communities they serve. Mr. Howard had a distinguished career with An Garda Síochána for over 40 years, which has given him senior experience at working with Government, communities and national agencies. A Dublin native, Tony Howard said his […]
IRISH POSTMASTERS’ UNION WELCOMES €30M FUNDING PACKAGE
Wednesday 1st June 2022: The Irish Postmasters’ Union has today welcomed the announcement of a €30 million government plan to secure the Post Office Network, which will help to keep Post Offices open and government services accessible in local communities. The Irish Postmaster’s Union (IPU) said that in making available a funding package of €30 million over a three-year fixed period, the government, like many countries across Europe, was recognising the social value of post offices. Welcoming today’s announcement, Seán Martin, President of the Irish Postmasters Union said; “The Post Office Network is the lifeblood of our towns and villages and a much-trusted focal point of our communities. The Network […]
Government Announce Funding for Post Office Network
Minister Ryan and Minister of State Naughton announce funding of €30 million over 3 years to support a sustainable, nationwide Post Office network The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, and the Minister of State with responsibility for Postal Matters, Hildegarde Naughton TD, today announced a funding package of €30 million over a three-year fixed period to support a sustainable, nationwide post office network. Ministers Ryan and Naughton brought a memo outlining the funding package to Cabinet yesterday (Tuesday, 31st May). Through this measure, the Government recognises the importance of a high-value and high-quality Post Office network to citizens throughout Ireland, as well as the central and trusted role […]
Grant Thornton finds the Post Office Network is an untapped resource capable of significant growth
A new independent report by Grant Thornton, commissioned by the Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU), recommends that the Government invest with urgency in the Post Office Network, stating that the Post Office Network is capable of significant growth and offers ways to support government policy and to promote efficiencies within Government. The FULL REPORT can be read here. The report points to a €12 million funding gap which needs to be met by government investment if the network is to thrive and grow. This funding gap has been reduced by €5 million (previously estimated at €17 million in a 2020 Grant Thornton Report) through the efforts of postmasters investing in their […]
Postmasters to discuss ballot on Industrial Action
Postmasters are to hold an emergency meeting to consider a ballot on Industrial Action, including to withdraw support for changes to Postal Money Order and Foreign Exchange services. The potential action comes amid mounting frustration with An Post and Government, as Postmasters say morale is low and meaningful engagement is needed to resolve a range of issues. The national Members’ Meeting has been called for next Monday (March 28), and the Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) Executive has motioned discussion of a ballot on Industrial Action. IPU General Secretary Ned O’Hara said the Postal Order and Foreign Exchange issues are not the whole problem, but a tipping point among multiple issues […]
Postmasters call for ‘long-term funding solution’ for Post Offices
Irish Postmasters’ Union Annual Conference 2021 Government Report should include fixed State payment for Post Offices Postmasters have called for an upcoming Government Report to include a long-term funding solution for the Post Office Network, in advance of their Annual Conference this weekend. The Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) said the Network should be secured through a retainer type fixed Government payment, as recommended by business advisors Grant Thornton. A report by the Government’s Interdepartmental Group for the Delivery of Offline Services is imminent and expected to address many of the issues faced by the Post Office Network. On the eve of the Union’s 2021 Annual Conference General Secretary Ned O’Hara […]
Postmasters call crisis meetings to discuss work stoppages as unrestrained closures imminent
Bank of Ireland deal with Post Offices now in jeopardy Postmasters today warned that Government needs to act urgently to maintain the Post Office Network, or face ‘unrestrained closures’ from July. Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) General Secretary Ned O’Hara said that a Government financial intervention must be implemented within weeks, or the Network as we know it will collapse. The IPU has written to its members to attend emergency local meetings during June to discuss all options, including a members’ ballot on a work stoppage. There are currently 875 Postmaster and 45 An Post operated Post Offices in the country. Mr O’Hara said: “Postmaster operated Offices face a major challenge from July […]
Banking services in further jeopardy unless Government keeps Post Offices open
Postmasters today warned that Government needs to act quickly and decisively to keep Post Offices open, or put access to local banking at further risk. Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) General Secretary Ned O’Hara said that a Government financial intervention must be in place by this June to keep Post Offices open. “The question is who will provide financial services to communities, such as those where Bank of Ireland branches are to close, if Post Offices do not get Government support in time?” Mr. O’Hara said COVID-19 has made the viability of the hundreds of Post Offices even more challenging – and this would be further compounded by a significant reduction […]
Government solution for Post Offices to maintain vital services for Communities
Postmasters today said that Government plans to strengthen the delivery of essential services ‘offline’, provides a critical opportunity to secure the Post Office Network. Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) General Secretary Ned O’Hara said that the Network is ideally placed to ensure that people have the option of person-to-person ’offline’ access to vital services. “The IPU supports expanding Government services delivered through the Network and to provide this Postmasters should receive an annual Government retainer payment. This will ensure an infrastructure for communities to access services – and keep hundreds of struggling Post Offices open. “Services which can be provided offline include motor tax, licences, renewals, registrations, identity verification, community information, IT […]