Life of rural Ireland at threat from closures of post offices

The social and economic fabric of rural Ireland will be changed forever if An Post close loss-making post offices, local postmasters say.

With An Post employing management consultants McKinsey to advise on rationalisation plans for the network, there are fears that a significant portion of its 1,100 offices could close.

An Post estimates that it needs 600 outlets to fulfil its contract with the Department of Social Welfare.

It is believed that a report by businessman Bobby Kerr on the viability of the post network found that half of outlets were loss-making.

The report is also believed to have proposed that post offices in rural areas be developed into “shared-value post offices” offering services including motor tax payment facilities.

Postmasters from across Ireland who attended a protest in Dublin this month included the postmaster in Ballinalack, Aidan Geerah, who says there is huge uncertainty.

If post offices in rural areas are closed, Mr Geerah says it is the most vulnerable members of communities, such as the elderly and those with special needs, who will be most affected.

“Our argument is that it will threaten the social fabric of the countryside,” Mr Geerah told the Westmeath Examiner.

“On Fridays, I process over 80 welfare payments, a lot of which would be pensions.”

Deputy Robert Troy, the postmaster in Ballynacargy, says closures would have a knock-on effect.

“There is no post office in Moyvore any more or in Milltown Rathconrath, so we would serve people from those areas in our office.

"There has already been a rationalisation of services over the last few decades.

“On Friday I was working in the post office as my assistant was away and I could not get any relief.

"I know what was paid out to people and a large chunk of that went down the street to the shops, to the butcher and filling station.

"People when they pick up their money in a locality tend to spend it there.

“If people can’t get their payment in Ballynacargy Post Office what will happen is that they will pick it up in Mullingar or get it paid to their bank account.

"We’ll see our grocery shops closing, we’ll see our butchers closing.”