·         Tom O’Callaghan

Mr. Tom Callaghan from the independent Postmasters Group gave a presentation to the Members on the post office network:

·         His group was comprised of independent Postmasters who were activity seeking ways to make rural post office services more viable, claiming the current model, which was heavily reliant on Government contracts, was not sustainable. The Post Office network had received a Government subsidy of €30m, otherwise hundreds of Post Offices would already be closed.

·         His members are looking for Post Offices to accept e-payments through new banking services which would channel Government payments through the network, which, he said, would generate a sustainable income for Post Offices of up to €60m p.a.

·         Up to €23m in state savings were lying idle in banks, which was an incentive to enhance banking services through the post office network. He stated services such as motor tax payments to be paid through rural Post Offices.

·         He also cited a ‘community banking model’ used by the postal service in New Zealand, where the post office network has over 12% of the country’s overall banking market, in contrast to Irish banks, where 95% of the Irish market is owned by established banks.

·         Proposals included the launch of a public information campaign for the public to invest in a ‘community banking model’. The potential already exists for rural post offices to be inter-connected, as most were already using compatible computer software.

·         In conclusion he said local economies would benefit greatly from the adoption of new services in rural Post Offices. He said his proposals afforded Post Offices to consider better ways of doing business and offered business sustainability and asked the members for their support on this issue.

The Cathaoirleach thanked Mr. O’Callaghan for highlighting the issue to the Members and they discussed as follows:

·         Post office banking services for Social Welfare payments would be desirable to improve post office services.

·         A number of medium sized businesses had closed in local communities, and the €30m Government cash injection would not sustain services indefinitely.

·         Are there were particular reasons why Government had yet to roll-out a community banking model for post offices – villages have died when postal services were removed from an area.

·         It is important to retain rural post offices and shops that are attached to them but there is little point in having services unless they were supported by the public.

·         The closure of bank branches should benefit post offices, which provide a huge ‘social network’ for communities. Many post offices had considerable workloads which weren’t being matched by generated income.

·         While not sustainable to have a post office in each village, there is sufficient business and interest in keeping alive business. And there is an appetite for change in the delivery of service.

·         Rural postal services could grow from the consequent development in tourism and facilities could be used as Tourism Information Centres.

·         With the closure of bank branches in Elphin and Strokestown, one had to visit Ballaghaderreen, Boyle or Roscommon to do their banking.

·         The recent closure of Ballyforan Post Office meant people had to travel to Ballygar to avail of services and rural post offices are essential to rural Ireland surviving.

·         Rural Post Offices are an important amenity and supportive of the model of service delivery as practised in New Zealand.

·         The hinterland of Ballaghaderreen has lost as many as nine post offices in as many years and appealing for all Government contracts for services to be delivered through the postal network.

·         It was a contradiction having plans to revive rural Ireland while at the same time closing down rural post offices.

·         Changes are needed to what is a banking monopoly. Pressure needs to be brought to bear on the Government to enhance postal services.

Responding to the concerns of members, Mr. O’Callaghan said over six thousand emails had been written to central Government seeking changes to the delivery of rural post office services. He urged pressure be brought to bear on An Post management as well as the public being encouraged to ensure greater use of services. He said rural post offices were at the heart of local communities, which should inform any decision making.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Ward,

SECONDED by Cllr. Kelly,

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council write to the Taoiseach, Minister for Finance and the leaders of all political parties in relation to the support of local post offices in County Roscommon and the post office network across the country. Initiatives such as the provision of banking services for welfare payments to be awarded to post offices and the roll out of a community banking model as advocated by the Independent Postmasters Group must be a priority to sustain the network.