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 […]


Postmasters call for clarity on Government response to support for Post Office Network

Post Office Network critical for local business during and after COVID-19 Postmasters have called for clarity on the future of hundreds of Post Offices – and what action Government will take to support the Network. Speaking at the Irish Postmasters’ Union AGM this weekend (by virtual meeting), General Secretary Ned O’Hara said an ‘inject and spend’ approach to the economy was central to Budget  2021. He said Post Offices provide a core asset of national infrastructure through which to support local businesses and economies during and after the COVID-19 pandemic – and Government must take action to secure this. A report commissioned by business advisors Grant Thornton, published in September, […]


Postmasters welcome return to weekly payment of social welfare

SOCIAL WELFARE PAYMENTS TO RETURN TO WEEKLY  Postmasters to seek Government response to Post Offices report Postmasters today welcomed a Government decision to return to weekly collection of all social welfare payments at Post Offices.  The Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) has received confirmation from the Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys that the Department is set to announce the change this week.  The change, which is due to come into effect in late October / early November, will give all Social Welfare recipients the choice to collect any payment either weekly or every two weeks at their Post Office. Customers can clarify any changes to their collection details with their local […]


Grant Thornton recommends €17m annual Government support for Post Office Network 

Report says Post Office Network continues to return strong economic and social value ‘Collapse of Post Office Network’ if State support not introduced urgently  An annual Public Service Obligation (PSO) for the Post Office Network of €17m has been recommended in an independent review by business advisors Grant Thornton. READ the full Grant Thornton Report. The report Review of the economic contribution and financial sustainability of the Irish Post Office Network, commissioned by the Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU), recommends that the Government invest with urgency in the Post Office Network, as it provides a multi-fold economic and social return to communities, far in excess of the PSO requirement. The report […]


Transactions down 25% in Post Offices

COVID-19 impact on Post Offices affecting local economies Weekly collection needs to be offered for all welfare payments Transactions in Post Offices are estimated to be down by 25% – heightening serious viability challenges facing the Network. Postmasters today warned that coronavirus is having a very serious negative impact on transactions in Post Offices, and by extension cash spending in local economies. The Irish Postmasters’ Union today called for people to be offered the choice to collect social welfare payments either weekly or every two weeks. A comparison of transactions for the month of August comparing 2020 with 2019 by Postmasters estimated that Post Office business was down by 25%. As […]


Postmasters urge full return to weekly payment of social welfare

Postmasters today urged a full return to weekly collection of all social protection payments at Post Offices. The Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) said that these transactions must return urgently to help people manage their finances – and to keep struggling Post Offices open in communities. The call was also supported by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP). Collection of all social protection payments at Post Offices were reduced from weekly to every two weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the lockdown measures. The IPU welcomed a move by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to reintroduce some payments on a weekly basis from August 17th. […]


Covid-19: Postmasters continue vital support for communities during crisis

Postmasters said today that public safety measures at Post Offices are working well and thanked the public for its ongoing cooperation. The Irish Postmasters’ Union said Social Protection payments are now grouped into two week payments and emergency ‘Agent’ measures are in use to enable third parties to collect payments if necessary. General Secretary Ned O’Hara said that: “The impact of the current overall situation, and these specific measures, is that the numbers attending Post Offices are both reduced and staggered. The result is that social distancing is being followed – and people can safely access services when they need to.” “Postmasters are committed to keeping people safe and continuing to provide services […]


Covid-19: Post Offices to remain open and adapt measures for safe usage

Postmasters have assured the public that in the current Covid-19 pandemic Post Offices are remaining open as an essential service to local communities – and measures have been agreed with An Post to prioritise public safety. The Irish Postmasters’ Union General Secretary Ned O’Hara said: “Social distancing will require Postmasters to limit the number of customers in the premises at any one time. “The IPU also understands that the Department of Social Protection is working with An Post and will shortly announce new service arrangements to support social distancing. “Hand sanitisers are being installed in all Post Offices as they become available and health and safety notices on social distancing are being […]


86% favour Government financial support for Post Offices

Public want to see more services at their local Post Office The vast majority of people (86%) favour Government financial support to keep their Post Office open and would like to see more State services becoming available. That’s according to new independent research, on a representative sample of 1,015 Irish adults, carried out by RED C. 91% said their Post Office provided a valuable service to the local community, 86% support the Government providing financial support to keep their Post Office open and 86% want more State services available at their Post Office. Support was strongest among older people and outside of Dublin. However, it was shared across all age […]


Postmasters warn that hundreds of Post Offices in danger of closure if next Government does not act

Postmasters call for election commitment to PSO for Post Offices | 7% decrease in Post Office business in 2019 |  Postmasters today warned that hundreds of Post Offices in villages, towns and cities could close over the next two years if urgent action is not taken by the next Government. The Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) today called for all parties and candidates to commit to a Public Service Obligation (PSO) being introduced for Post Offices, and also for many more Government services provided through the Network. IPU General Secretary Ned O’Hara said that Post Office business is declining year on year, with a 7% decrease in volumes transacted in Postmaster operated […]