An Post Confirms 161 postmaster applications for voluntary retirement

1 January 0001

This will likely result in the closure of 161 post offices out of a network of 1,111 post offices.  The remaining network of 950 post offices is the largest retail network in Ireland. The list of post offices closing will be issued at the end of August once the details have been confirmed with each Postmaster. 

An Post, the Irish Postmasters Union and postmasters are in agreement that the consolidation of the network and the subsequent transfer of business to neighbouring offices is essential to the sustainability of the overall network and the continued provision of services in local communities.  Mail delivery and collection services are not affected.

An Post reaffirms its commitment that communities of over 500 people will have a post office and that over 95% of the population will be within 15km of at least one post office. All island post offices are being retained. 
To meet the above coverage commitments, An Post will also publish at the end of August a target list of new post office locations.

A new modern retail contract which is being rolled out to postmasters will include lunchtime opening.  An Post is committed to ensuring a vibrant network for all our customers and to extending our range of Financial, Government and E-Commerce services. We are well advanced with plans for a €50m investment in post offices which will see a modern look and feel across the network and improved service to all customers.

Commenting on today’s news, Debbie Byrne, MD of An Post Retail said:
“Today’s news marks a key point on the journey towards a stronger post office network. Some closures were inevitable in a network that has been largely unchanged for many years. The consolidation of post office business will strengthen the remaining post offices, and the development of a wide range of new services over the coming months and years will see a reinvigorated network across 950 post offices. We appreciate that these decisions have not been easy for the individual Postmasters and we are grateful for their dedication over many years of service in their communities.”