POLITICAL PRESSURE VITAL TO SAVE POST OFFICES

POST masters, councillors and TDs came together on Friday for a special meeting to discuss the future of the rural Post Office Network which is under increasing pressure due to reductions in services. The aim of the meeting - which took place at The Rose Hotel – was to devise a strategy to help attract more business to struggling Post Offices to help counteract the loss of Department of Social Protection (DSP) cheques earlier this year.

Post masters say many services could be provided for such as motor tax, forms for Departments of Agriculture and Justice, and SUSI payments. However, they say a willingness must exist by the powers that be. They also highlighted loopholes that are indirectly impacting on their livelihoods.

Post masters are paid on a scale system that is ‘per transaction’ based, so the more ser- vices are withdrawn from a Post Office, the more income is reduced. Likewise, Post Offices are prevented from exploring other forms of business as only An Post can determine what services are provided for by a Post Office. Empowering a struggling sector was the evening’s key focus as Councillors and TDs were briefed on the pressing issues in the hope they will now work towards securing the future of Post Offices.

“We believe after this meeting that Councillors and TDs are now more aware of the plight facing Post Offices,” said Seamus Ó Luing. “By 2020 our incomes will have completely diminished and we need to bring greater political pressure to bear on this issue. There is also ongoing departmental pressure to encourage people to use online transactions and we need to attract more government services and community banking to safeguard our livelihoods,” added Seamus.