Minister admits some post offices will be asked to close

Communications Minister Denis Naughten has admitted an unknown number of post offices will be asked to voluntarily close over the next four years, amid opposition claims some rural communities could “cease to exist”.

His confirmation came just 24 hours after it emerged An Post had written to 390 postmasters offering voluntary exit packages, just days after a disputed leaked cabinet memo claimed 2,000 jobs could go in the period to 2022.

In response to Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley, Mr Naughten said that while he was determined to improve the postal service the reality was progress meant some facilities would no longer be needed.