The Government must step up its commitments to support An Post to prevent the collapse of the post office network.
“The Regional Group, which I am a member of, has written to Minister Eamon Ryan highlighting his commitment to report back to the Dáil within six months of the Group’s Private Member’s Motion on the post office network last October”.
“The Government committed to a sustainable nationwide post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure in both rural and urban areas and the Regional Group has pointed out that An Post requires support in the roll out of new services, and the delivery of its strategic plan, to ensure its financial viability”.
“We are now calling on the Government to re-examine the establishment of a State bank, pointing out that the Government needs to examine possible delivery mechanisms for State banking to be implemented. This could be done through An Post or Credit Unions offices, which have the infrastructure, facilities and visibility in communities”.
“The Regional Group is seeking direct intervention by the Government to develop new State services for the post office network, highlighting the fact that post offices are a necessity for those living in regional Ireland. The challenges facing rural and regional Ireland and their post offices, needs an urgent response from Government”.