The Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) has called for Government action to retain social welfare payments at post offices in a bid to prevent the closure of further offices throughout the country.

THE country’s remaining sub-post offices could face extinction because more and more social welfare payments are being processed through banks, Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) president Joe McArdle has said.

SMALL businesses association ISME yesterday demanded special arrangements for mail deliveries to companies in rural areas whose operations could be threatened by prolonged industrial action at sub-post offices.