Irish Post Office ‘facing collapse’

According to a report on the IrishExaminer.com Web site, "Over a quarter of post offices have closed down since 2000 and the entire network faces collapse in the coming years unless the Government addresses fears over declining business and a possible loss of social welfare payments."

The Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) claims hundreds of members are earning less than the legal minimum wage, despite remaining open for up to 50 hours every week.

Dissatisfaction with remuneration is prompting postmasters and postmistresses to leave the service, while concern is also mounting about the future of Government business — such as social welfare payments — which is carried out in post offices.

Shown above is a somewhat forlorn looking Irish mailman on a 1983 stamp (SC573) marking World Communications Year (WCY).

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