Date: 26 April 2022
Following a meeting with the President of the Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) and a group of postmasters from across Wicklow, Green Party TD, Steven Matthews, has written to Eamon Ryan, the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications seeking a meeting regarding the future viability of the postal services, concerns in relation to funding and the prevention of future closures. Discussing the meeting, Deputy Matthews said:
“I welcomed the opportunity to meet with a group of postmasters from across Wicklow to discuss the challenges facing the sector and the day-to-day impact it is having on their individual post offices. Post offices are at the heart of our rural and urban communities. Their value was never clearer than throughout the pandemic when they remained open, offering a vital community service, and maintaining the network with limited disruption in the level of service.
“We have already seen huge changes to the high street in recent months with many commercial banks and post offices closing their doors so it’s vital that sufficient supports are put in place are provided to ensure that this trend stops and that any future closures are avoided.
“The value of maintaining clear and open dialogue between the Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is incredibly important. A recent report into the Irish Postal network outlined some key issues that need to be address by the Department and I hope to be able to facilitate this dialogue on behalf of the Wicklow Postmasters I met with.
“I have written to the Minister and will be raising their concerns with him in the Dáil as soon as I can. Having raised this issue previously, it’s clear that a significant amount of work has already been done at a Departmental level to work on the future of the network. However, what was clear from my meeting with the postmasters who are dealing with these concerns on the ground is that they need assurances and increased dialogue regarding the future viability of the network.
“I will continue to engage with both the IPU, the local postmasters group and Minister Ryan on how we can support the Irish Post Office Network during this time of uncertainty and will do all I can to support a positive future for the service”, Deputy Matthews concluded.
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