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The Post Office network will be ‘wiped out’ unless we get Government action now, according to Paddy O’Shea.

The Post Office network as we know it today, will be 'wiped out' unless we get Government action now, according to Paddy O'Shea, the Irish Postmaster who represents Postmasters in Cork.

“While An Post has retained the Social Welfare payments contract for a possible six year term, this is only a temporary respite. We need a plan to ensure that Post Offices play a central role in the delivery of welfare payments and other Government services and we need that plan now.

“The Post Office network will be decimated if the income from the welfare payments contract is lost,” he said. “Already we are seeing evidence that the Department of Social Protection is forcing people into banks. If that continues, as is part of their plan, and if we lose the State Savings, the network cannot survive as it would amount to a loss of 60% of income,” Mr O'Shea stated.

Another major threat to the viability of the Post Office network is the State Savings business accounts which accounts for a third of the income of Postmasters. The Grant Thornton report, commissioned by the IPU clearly demonstrated that the Government could save €76.8m if motor tax, banking charges and hospital charges were payable through Post Offices. Of this figure €60.6m could come from motor tax.

Postmasters will gather outside Leinster House on Wednesday next (26th) when a Dail motion proposed by the 16 members of the Technical Group of TDs will be voted on. The motion is proposed by South Tipp's Seamus Healy and seconded by John Halligan TD from Waterford.

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