LABOUR Party councillor Joe Leddin has concerns about the future of local community post offices that are struggling to survive in the current economic environment.
Cllr Leddin said that from speaking with the owners and operators of local post offices in Limerick, many are simply unable to make a viable living anymore as a result of increased business and operational costs.
“While additional banking services have been now offered through post offices in recent years, the reality for many of these small businesses is that they are competing with increased costs and a rapidly changing world of technology,” the City West representative explained.
“It is impossible to quantify the value these post offices provide for local residents, businesses, and especially our elderly and marginalised members of society. Many customers are completely dependent on the personal and professional service they receive from their local post office and very much value the trustworthiness provided by staff.”
Other additional services, Cllr Leddin maintains, should be offered through the post office similar to paying the TV license, such as paying car tax for the many who don’t have the option to do so online.
“There is no point in the crocodile tears by Government representatives when another post office announces that it is closing and depriving customers of an essential service and forcing them to travel longer distances to do their personal business,” Cllr Leddin said.
“Higher subsidies should be paid to the smaller post offices by An Post as they are at a complete disadvantage in terms of customer numbers and footfall yet they provide a similar, if not even more important service in their communities.”
Cllr Leddin said he will be calling on Mayor John Moran to write to the Minister for Communications and the CEO of An Post to advocate for more supports and services to ensure community-based post offices remain viable and open in Limerick.
