The incoming government is being urged to pump money into the post office network, to help boost rural Clare.
It comes as the Irish Postmasters’ Union has warned that a further 400 post offices are in jeopardy, unless state intervention is put in place.
A year on from the closure of more than 160 post offices nationwide, the Irish Postmasters’ Union is now warning that the threat to their network is far from over.
The IPU says that up to 400 more post office branhces are in danger of closing in the next 18 months, unless the newly elected government takes action to protect them.
Those who opted to sign the new contracts are in receipt of financial support for that period and once that comes to an end, it’s unclear what the future holds.
The Public Banking Forum of Ireland is pushing the importance of introducing a new model of service as a long-term measure to save the network of post offices.
Séamus Maye of the PBFI is once again pressing the importance of following New Zealand’s example.
The post office network appears to have strong support among members of the public, with new Red C research showing that 86% of people are in favour of financial support from the government to keep their branch open.
Independent Sixmilebridge Councillor PJ Ryan, who was involved in a successful campaign to save Cratloe Post Office in 2015, is in favour of the banking model.
He believes this will be key in turning around the fortunes of rural Ireland and the money can in turn be invested in the local communities.
