Government Has Announced €30M For Post Office Services

An Post has welcomed the move saying the pandemic has 'accelerated' challenges facing the network in recent years.

The Government has announced a €30 million package of funding for Post Offices.

It will go towards Community Banking, e-commerce and maintaining Government services in outlets, like social welfare or dog licenses.

The Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan says the funds of €10 million a year will ensure people nationwide can access services.

An Post has said the announcement of the 3-year package of support for Postmasters to underpin the vital role and infrastructure of the national post office network, central to Irish life and commerce. 

It said the pandemic had accelerated some of the headwinds facing the network, particularly in relation to the use of cash and digital substitution.

An Post said it will continue to dynamically drive the transformation programme to support the renewal and development of the Post Office network and the expansion of new services built around 4 key growth pillars: 

• Community Banking for all – diversifying and growing financial services products for consumers and SMEs through An Post Money, Travel Money, partnerships with Bank of Ireland and AIB and a range of State Savings products 
• E-Commerce enablement – making online shopping easier with parcel and mail services including out-of-hours collections, returns, tracking, payments  and redirections.

• One-Stop-Shop for Government Services – expanded range of local and central government services making it easier for citizens to interact with the State and to support the Government’s National Digital Strategy.
• Other new services - expanding the range of services like Leap, Green Hub, Western Union, Gifting.  

The Irish Postmaster’s Union (IPU) said that in making available a funding package of €30 million over a three-year fixed period, the government, like many countries across Europe, was recognising the social value of post offices.  

Seán Martin, President of the Irish Postmasters Union commented: “The Post Office Network is the lifeblood of our towns and villages and a much-trusted focal point of our communities.

"The Network continues to be Ireland’s largest retail and face-to-face service network at the heart of over 900 communities serving approximately 1.3 million customers each week," he said.

Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) General Secretary Ned O’Hara said: “Postmasters will now focus on working to ensure the equitable distribution of this funding and we look forward to discussing the matter further with An Post.

"The IPU is committed to working to develop the Network and keep as many Post Offices as possible serving communities across the country,” he added.