Use post offices as mini Garda stations, Government is urged

POST offices could soon function as mini Garda stations, if a proposal is passed by the Government.

Workers in 1,150 post offices could be used to carry out basic police administration in a bid to raise more revenue and prevent future closures.

That was one consideration in a report from a cross-party Oireachtas committee, which made a string of recommendations to make An Post’s office network more sustainable.

In an initiative inspired by an idea being piloted in Britain, Sinn Féin’s Michael Colreavy insisted the measures would require no additional costs.

‘Most of the proposals in this report require not additional funding, but a different way of thinking – a different range of services to be made available at the local post office,’ said the TD for Sligo-North Leitrim.

With Britain’s network in talks with ten police forces about providing limited services, the Government was urged to consider using post offices for processing motor tax renewals, water charges and property tax.

Around 400 post offices are threatened with immediate closure if An Post fails to secure a tendered contract to process social welfare payments.

The Irish Postmasters’ Union welcomed the recommendations but said it was concerned the report would just gather dust, rather than result in direct Government action.