Up to 100 post offices could face closure as An Post reviews network

As many as 100 post offices across the country could close as part of An Post’s plans to review its branch network, (Chief Executive of An Post, Donal Connell pictured).

Chief executive Donal Connell confirmed that a review of all its offices will begin this year.

“We have 1,533 post office and agencies nationwide and that is the higher number of branches per capita in Europe. We need to determine the optimum configuration for this network for the future, bearing nature of the community we serve,” he said at the launch of the company’s annual report.

Mr Connell said it was not possible to give an absolute figure on how many post offices would close but admitted that if Ireland moved to the European average, it would result in 100 branches closing.

Any closures arising from the review of the branch network are likely to be in rural locations.

An Post’s 2006 annual report reveals the company made a pre-tax profit of euro96.5 million up from euro40.9m in 2005. The jump in profits is mainly the result of the euro94m gain on the sale of the former SDS depot on the Naas Road.

At operating level, which strips out the gains from exceptional items, An Post made a profit of euro14.6m compared to a profit of euro16.1m in 2005. Included in the accounts is a euro20m charge related to a deferred pay rise for its workers.

Turnover for the year was up strongly from euro752m to euro818.8m. Mr Connell said this was the result of an increase in the volume of mail sent (up 4%), price rises and a rise in the number of people using its money transfer system.

Mr Connell, who was appointed last August, said it would take three years before An Post hit the next day delivery target of 94%.

The last survey of postal service by the industry regulator ComReg found that only 74% was delivered the next day. The chief executive said the failure to hit the 94% level was due to a number of factors including An Post work practices.

The annual report also shows that Mr Connell was paid euro191,000 for the four months he was with An Post last year.