Paddy O’Shea, who has been running a post office for the last 37 years in East Cork, believes he will be out of business in three to five years.

The union representing the country’s postmasters has called on An Post to support new services and innovations across its network in a bid to save post offices across the country.

The rural post office remains integral to society despite its unviability, writes Michael Clifford.

Postmasters have said they are upset and worried over reports that the scale of post office closures being planned may be far greater than previously thought.

Postmasters have urged the Government and An Post to sit down with them for two days to hammer out a future for the postal network and put an end to the uncertainty hanging over it.

The Government is set to come under intense political pressure from postmasters disgruntled at lack of progress in implementing a plan to revitalise and modernise their businesses.

A working group to transform post offices into “social hubs” offering numerous community, financial, and retail services has been established.

Postmasters are pleading with the Department of Social Protection to stall the switch from cash to electronic welfare payments until they have time to introduce new e-payment accounts for recipients.

Welfare chiefs will shut down post offices by pushing social welfare recipients to use banks instead, postmasters have warned.

The Irish Postmasters’ Union has decided not to run its planned candidates in the upcoming general election.

Postmasters across the country have refused to deliver thousands of social protection forms, returning them to the Government in protest.

Members of the Irish Postmasters Union today returned thousands of social protection forms, which they refused to distribute, to the Department.

Postmasters are considering running candidates in the next general election in an attempt to protect the network of post offices and maintain support for communities.

Postmasters will campaign for people to vote against the Government unless a six-point plan to save post offices is adopted.