Big business backs post offices extending services
It comes as postmasters lobby to become ‘the State on your doorstep’ by providing everything from remote health checks to local transport hubs and acting as tourist information points and peace commissioners.
Communications company Ericsson has carried out an investigation into how post offices can serve their communities into the future and has recommended that Government immediately adopt a common strategy which includes proper funding for rural post offices.
They have also called for a pilot scheme to be bought in which would see post offices provide key services such as information and communications technology access and training, document verification, and social needs.
Ericsson carried out 11 sessions in Ballymore Eustace Co Kildare; Fethard-on-Sea, Co Wexford; and Newbliss in Co Monaghan and found very strong attachment to post offices. Many would see a closure of the post office as akin to “a death in the community”.
Ericsson is among a number of multinationals and third-level institutes including UCD, Microsoft, Goal, and Abbott Health Care, to back post offices.
Between 2007 and 2010, there were 198 post office closures and 24 net closures between 2011 and 2014.
The country’s 1,300 post offices want to be given the chance to deliver remote health checks with hospital and GP link-up via technology; become a drop-off point for prescriptions; a local transport service hub; and tourist information point.
Irish Postmasters’ Union general secretary Ned O’Hara said post offices provide a major opportunity for the Government to transform citizens’ access to services.
“We want to have a ‘no-wrong-door’ policy with all deliverable government services provided in all post offices across the country,” said Mr O’Hara.
Postmasters are calling on Government to sanction payments for all state services including HSE, CAO, and third-level registrations.
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