Cost of saving Mayo's remaining rural post offices revealed after glut of closures

A total of 18 post offices have closed down in Mayo over the past decade, new figures have revealed.

Only Cork, Dublin, Galway and Donegal have witnessed a greater number of postal facilities shutting down since January 2015.

Mayo has recorded the second largest number of rural post office closures in the nation (17), four less than neighbours, Galway.

In Connacht alone, 30 post offices, the majority of which were located rural communities, have ceased to operate.

Nationally, a total of 257 post offices are no longer in business.

The Irish Postmasters' Union is seeking €15 million in annual funding to maintain the existing network.

Senator Alison Comyn said our post office network is a cornerstone of Irish community life and the government faces an urgent need to ensure its survival and sustainability.

She stated: "The post office is not just a facility. It goes even beyond a public service. It is a social connector and, in many parts of rural and regional Ireland, a vital lifeline.

"Whether it is a pension collection, a child benefit payment, the BillPay service, banking or simply a familiar face for someone who may not otherwise speak to anybody else on the day in question, the post office does it all.

"Think of how it almost became another emergency service during Covid.

"Post office services are now very much at risk. Almost 900 of the independent postmasters who operate the vast majority of our post offices are telling us loud and clear they cannot continue without immediate support.

"Rising costs, reduced footfall and a rapid shift towards digital services have left many on the brink. This is not speculation; it is reality.

"Some post offices have already closed and others operate at a loss but continue due to the postmasters' deep commitment to their communities. The figures are stark.

Of 888 independently run post offices nationwide, more than 250 have closed in the past ten years. When costs are removed, 108 postmasters earn less than the minimum wage.

"Funding iof €15 million per annum is a modest sum in the grand scheme of things but one with an enormous social return.

"Compare it to the cost of losing these services. There would be increased pressure on welfare offices, the loss of community connection and a hollowing out of rural and small-town Ireland. That price is far higher.

"As a government, we have a duty not only to respond to crises but to act with foresight. Supporting the post office network is aligned with our programme for government commitments on rural Ireland, digital equity and sustaining public services."

Minister Charlie McConalogue said the Department of Communications recognise there are challenges regarding the network.

"Uncertainty regarding global trade is one of the many challenges facing the post office network, given that the network facilitates trade, and I am aware that postmasters are likely to be feeling the effects of this uncertainty.

"The network is undoubtedly also impacted by the continuing decline in mail volumes and the growth of digitalisation. It is not only nationally, but internationally, that mail and post office businesses are experiencing long-term structural challenges.

"Additionally, previous issues relating to the cost of living, in particular the effect of inflation and higher energy costs, have been felt by many small and medium enterprises, including the postmasters, and global events continue to cause challenges in this regard.

"The government is committed to supporting Ireland's post office network.

"As part of this commitment, the Government is currently providing An Post with €10 million in funding per annum over a three-year fixed term from 2023 to 2025.

"An Post disburses 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.

"Over €25 million has been claimed for the network by An Post for the period from the start of 2023 until May last.

The postmasters' union has made a submission and an ask for €15 million. Obviously, the outcome is very much subject to budgetary negotiations, but I assure the union that I am working in every way possible to get the strongest possible outcome in that regard, and to get a renewal of that agreement that will see the post office network supported strongly by the State."