The Government is said to be at risk of “wiping out” post offices in Clare unless it moves towards a sustainable operating model for the postal service.
The contracts for both Shannon and Carrigaholt’s post offices have gone to tender following the resignation of their postmasters.
In a statement to Clare FM, An Post says it has “two opportunities to partner with An Post in providing post office and financial services to the people of Shannon and Carrigaholt”.
The vacancies, it says, “arise out of the resignation of the current Postmasters”, and its hopes to “attract suitable candidates for both contracts”.
It’s not the first time the threat of a post office closure has loomed for a Clare community this year.
Five months ago, doubt was cast over the future of Lahinch Post Office until local business owner Robert Kennedy stepped in to take the postmaster’s reins.
With Shannon and Carrigaholt now in a similar position, concerns have been raised that if the two facilities closed, it could result in job losses and contribute to rural isolation.
Sixmilebridge Fine Gael Councillor John Crowe insists it can’t be allowed to happen.
Clarecastle Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom O’Callaghan, who’s Chairperson of the Independent Postmasters of Ireland, has long highlighted what he’s described as a “crisis” within the postal service.
Since 2014, he’s led a campaign calling for An Post to diversify into a community banking system, similar to what exists in New Zealand, as a means of generating profit that can be re-invested in the community.
An Post claims its revenue exceed €1 billion for the first time last year and that its post offices are visited by an average of 941,000 customers each week with 82 million transactions recorded in 2024.
The Irish Postmasters’ Union recently claimed 600 post offices would close unless the service receives a €15 million investment per annum over the next five years.
Councillor O’Callaghan says all parties, including his own, must step up to the plate to rescue post offices which are at the brink of extinction.
You can listen to the full interview below.
