‘It is terrible to see' – 257 post offices close across Ireland in last 10 years amid can't ‘ignore the crisis' plea
Sinn Fein's David Cullinane recently revealed the number of post office closures by county in the last decade.
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257 Irish post offices have closed in the last ten years, 78 per cent of which were in rural areas
Credit: Facebook/@David Cullinane T.D.
According to the data, which the TD acquired through a parliamentary question,
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Notably, 78 per cent of all closures were located in rural areas.
Speaking with
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"The local post office plays a vital role in Irish life, providing financial services, access to the social welfare system, communications infrastructure and community supports.
Adding that the Government "cannot continue to ignore the crisis in our post office network".
He said: "What's needed now is targeted, strategic investment, and a new vision that puts public service and community needs first."
The figures come weeks after the Irish Postmasters Union published a report asking for a 50 per cent increase in State funding to €15 million per year over the next five years.
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Speaking to an Oireachtas Committee, IPU General Secretary Sandra Tormey said: "Currently, we have 108 postmasters who, when we take all the costs out, are earning less than the minimum wage.
"Recently, I polled my members and if the Government funding stays the same - at €10 million - 40 per cent of them will have to close."
She added: "If the Government funding becomes €15 million, 70 per cent of our postmasters say they can see a future for the next five years.
"We are looking for an uplift of €5 million. That is the difference between 40 per cent of post offices around the country closing or 70 per cent saying they have a future."
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in June, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan said: "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."
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He added: "An Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to act commercially. An Post has statutory responsibility for the State's postal service and the post office network.
"Decisions relating to the network, including decisions relating to specific post offices are operational matters for the Board and management of the company and not one in which I, as Minister, have any function."
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Postmasters warn that 40 per cent of post offices could close around the country if funding is not increased
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
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An Post boasts a network of 960 offices serving communities and businesses across Ireland
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
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