Eight post offices closed in the last ten years in Meath

Over the last ten years, a total of eight post offices have closed down in Meath.

Places including Carnaross, Bellewstown, Tara, Dunsany, Rathmolyon, Drumree and Batterstown have all seen their local post office close, a bitter blow for the rural communities who depended on them.

Sinn Féin TD for Meath West Johnny Guirke expressed his dismay about the closure of eight post offices in the county over the last decade.

Teachta Guirke said that "local post offices foster social inclusion, connection and participation, especially for older people and those on the margins. They are public services, not just private enterprises, and must be supported as such."

“It’s time for action. The government cannot continue to ignore the crisis in our post office network. They need to listen to postmasters and the communities they serve."

“What’s needed now is targeted, strategic investment, and a new vision that puts public service and community needs first.”

Over the last10 years, 257 post offices have closed across the country, according to data provided to Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane via parliamentary question.

Cork had the largest number of closures, with 22 shutting their doors in rural areas and 12 in urban centres.

Dublin saw 21 post offices close over the decade, while 21 rural post offices closed in Galway.

"It is shocking that 257 post offices closed in the last ten years," Mr Cullinane said.

"The local post office plays a vital role in Irish life, providing financial services, access to the social welfare system, communications infrastructure and community supports.

"In many areas, they are the only visible expression of the State."

The Waterford TD said there was widespread concern that the current contract terms were "simply not fit for purpose". He said that as a result, new entrants are not attracted to take over post office services after long-serving postmasters retire.

"Without a new approach as advocated by the IPU, the network will shrink - and more communities will lose their post office," he said.

"That would be a huge blow to social cohesion and rural life."

Mr Cullinane called for action, saying that the Government "cannot continue to ignore the crisis in our post office network".

"What's needed now is targeted, strategic investment, and a new vision that puts public service and community needs first."

Last month, postmasters warned that 40% of post offices could close unless Government funding for the network is increased.

The Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) is calling for a 50% increase in State funding to €15 million per year over five years to secure the network.

Currently, the network receives €10m annually, but the IPU said that this is not adequate.

The union says that this funding would help expand access to in-person public services and support identity verification and fraud prevention for departments and agencies.