Cuirim fáilte roimh an ócáid seo ina bhfuilimid in ann cúpla rud a rá maidir le cúrsaí in oifigí poist agus an líonra poist inár saol le chéile. Tá ról sóisialta tábhachtach acu ag soláthar tacaíochtaí luachmhara do chuid de na daoine is leochailí inár sochaí trí íocaíochtaí leasa shóisialaigh, postas saor in aisce chuig tithe altranais agus go leor seirbhísí luachmhara eile a sholáthar. Tá ról eacnamaíoch ríthábhachtach acu maidir le gnó idir gnólachtaí agus custaiméirí a éascú. Tá ról acu anois sa gheilleagar le fás seirbhísí cosúil le Vinted. At present, there are 873 post offices, most of them operated by independent postmasters. In fact, only 41 of the offices are directly operated by An Post, with postmasters operating over 90% of the network. This is a nationwide network of significant scale, providing the economic and social benefits I have mentioned, to citizens urban and rural across all of Ireland. Every year, approximately 70 to 80 post offices change ownership. This can be for a variety of reasons, including a new postmaster taking over an existing premises, relocation by an existing postmaster to a more modern, accessible premises, or a new postmaster taking over and relocating to a new, fit-for-purpose premises. Additionally, I understand that five offices are temporarily closed. Of these five, I am informed by An Post that Ballyneety, County Limerick, and Carrigaholt, County Clare, are due to reopen in the near term. The Government recognises the challenges for both the network and postal services. Uncertainty regarding global trade is one of these challenges. As this network facilitates trade, I am aware that postmasters are likely to be feeling the effects of this uncertainty. I would like to specifically recognise An Post’s work to date in continuing the flow of post to the US despite the uncertainty due to changes to that country's customs rules last year. The network undoubtedly is also impacted by the continuing decline in mail volumes and the growth of digitalisation. It is not only nationally but internationally that mail and An Post services and businesses are experiencing long-term structural challenges. Additionally, issues relating to the cost of living, in particular the effects of inflation and higher energy costs, have been felt by many SMEs, including postmasters, and current global events continue to cause challenges in this regard. In recent times, a number of offices have been converted from An Post-operated to postmaster- or contractor-operated, with modernised facilities., These include, for example, those in Tipperary town, Tallaght, Roscommon and New Ross. It should be noted that conversion to a contractor-operated office means these offices have joined the mainstream of national post offices, given that, as I set out earlier, more than 90% of the country’s post offices are operated by contractor postmasters. The conversion will often not in any way change the range or the extent of the services offered by An Post in these selected locations and the company remains committed to providing each area with the highest level of services. The Government is committed to a sustainable An Post and post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout Ireland. We previously provided An Post with €10 million funding per annum over a three-year period from 2023 to 2025. An Post dispersed this funding across the post office network, with all contractor post offices benefiting from the Government funding with the objective of securing the stability of the network. This funding was put in place under the previous Government. However, let me be clear that the current Government also recognises the need to support Ireland’s post office network. Under the programme for Government, we will continue to provide the nationwide network of post offices with funding to ensure their sustainability and enhance the value they bring to local communities. I am delighted to have been able to not only secure continued future funding in line with this commitment but to be able to provide an increased amount to €15 million per annum, which was approved by the Government in January. This approval provided a clear mandate for this enhanced funding, and my officials are progressing the next steps required. In line with the programme for Government, the funding will support the stability and sustainability of the network, protecting and nurturing a commercially focused post office network. It will also support access for citizens to the key social benefits of the post office network. In line with the programme for Government, the funding will support the stability and sustainability of the network, protecting and nurturing a commercially focused post office network. It will also support access for citizens to the key social benefits of the post office network. Government support does not mean that some post offices will not close. Closures can happen for a variety of reasons, such as due to retirement or for personal reasons. The intention is to avoid such decisions being necessary on foot of economic hardship. Since January 2025, 14 post offices have permanently closed following unsuccessful efforts to appoint new postmasters. In every case, An Post advised the Department that vacancies were advertised multiple times and local engagement was also undertaken multiple times. An Post has not closed any post office. A post office closure follows a decision by an individual postmaster to exit the business and in the majority of cases, closures have resulted from postmaster retirements. Where a post office closes or relocates, this can leave a heritage building without a use in the heart of the community. The programme for Government recognises this and commits to Government partnering with An Post and local communities to identify and preserve heritage post office buildings that are no longer in use by the post office. My Department is working in the first instance with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to discuss possible options. Equally, it is important to remember that this support aims to protect and nurture a sustainable and commercially viable post office network, and that it also aims to ensure access to important services across the post office network. Any support must therefore be utilised to allow time and space to enable new commercial initiatives and services to be developed. An Post has statutory responsibility for the post office network. Accordingly, it must actively explore opportunities to develop new, or enhanced, product lines and services. We want to see a sustainable service for all of our citizens, both urban and rural, in the medium and long term. The network is a core strength of An Post and the continued development of the network is vital to its sustainability. However, we must also recognise the fact that post offices are commercial entities and, as with all businesses, they need to continue to develop relevant commercial strategies to attract new customers and drive footfall. There can sometimes be a focus on the provision of a particular service across the network or supports being put in place, but no one measure in isolation is going to provide for the long-term sustainability of the network. All stakeholders will need to continue to work together and the public must also be encouraged to use the services available through the post office. However, I encourage my Government colleagues to consider the impact of digitalisation and substitution of services on our network. It is important that as technology develops, we explore new and innovative ways of working but it is also important that we ensure that those who, for whatever reason, do not want to access government services online, can still do so. I and the officials in the Department are ready and available to work with other Departments in respect of delivery of services throughout the network. Postmasters will play a crucial role in the future of the network, and I recognise and thank them all, together with all postal workers, for the hard work, dedication, input and co-operation to date for their role in enabling the ongoing transformation of the network. I particularly want to thank them for their role during Covid-19. Their support is needed as An Post seeks to win new or bolster existing business, and to explore opportunities for new product lines. The global headwinds of mail volume decline and rising costs not only effect the offices of the network, but also An Post at a company level, in its operations delivering mail. An Post earlier this year announced increases to the price of stamps, noting that falling letter volumes and rising overheads are resulting in stamp increases globally, not just in Ireland. The price changes are carefully calculated to cover the costs of providing service to every address taking account of wage increases, increased operating costs and other costs. It should be noted that decisions relating to pricing are entirely a matter for An Post. Pricing is therefore ultimately a matter for the board and management of the company and, where relevant, the Commission for Communications Regulation in accordance with its mandate with respect to postal regulation and the universal service obligation for which An Post is a designated provider. The Minister has no role in this. An Post is also experiencing changes in the growth of ecommerce in its operations. An Post advised that in 2025 parcel volumes were 27% higher than 2024. In peak season of 2025, 3 million parcels were delivered weekly alongside approximately 3 million cards. Christmas 2025 was the busiest peak in An Post’s history and, according to the company, parcel volumes were 35% higher nationally during the peak period. An Post understands that the January to February 2026 parcel volumes were almost 50% higher than the same period last year. The company has opened a new parcel facility in Dublin 24 and expects automation to be completed ahead of the 2026 peak season. This will assist with the growing volume the company is experiencing. An Post has additionally acknowledged that there were some delivery challenges due to the exceptionally high volume and notes that these volumes occurred in conjunction with illness-related staff shortages. Mar fhocal scoir, cruthaíonn na dúshláin dhomhanda leanúnacha, na hathruithe struchtúracha san earnáil poist agus na hathruithe ar nósanna custaiméirí timpeallacht dhúshlánach do líonraí na n-oifigí poist agus An Post ina iomláine. Léirigh an Rialtas a thiomantas don líonra agus don luach a sholáthraíonn sé do shaoránaigh le leithdháileadh de €15 milliún in aghaidh na bliana ar feadh théarma an Rialtais. Mar sin, molaim do na geallsealbhóirí ar fad oibriú le chéile chun inmharthanacht an líonra a chinntiú. Ba cheart saoránaigh a spreagadh chun a n-oifigí poist áitiúla a úsáid, más mian leo. Ar an gcaoi chéanna, ba cheart do sholáthraithe seirbhísí Rialtais agus seirbhísí eile a chinntiú go bhfuil roghanna ar fáil do shaoránaigh nach ndéanann a ngnó ar líne ar chúis éigin. Tacaíonn an Rialtas leis na hoifigí poist agus na daoine a oibríonn iontu. Cabhróidh sé seo le líonra láidir d’oifigí poist a chinntiú anois agus amach anseo.

Sentiment score: 0.19

You closed a few of them yourselves.

Sentiment score: 0.00

You closed the one in Adare when you shot a garda.

Sentiment score: 0.00

You forgot that one, of course.

Sentiment score: 0.00

You had no problem closing the one in Adare, did you? You had no problem closing that one, you hypocrite.

Sentiment score: -0.60