An Post needs new postboxes to cut costs in Ireland

The introduction of roadside letter boxes is key to maintaining the viability of Ireland’s postal services, according to the chief executive of An Post.

John Hynes said the scheme would save An Post millions of euro per year and help to stave off a financial crisis at the company as it would cut down on delivery times and costs in rural areas.
Also today, reports have claimed that the Minister for Communications, Dermot Ahern, has expressed increasing concern about the deteriorating financial position in An Post, and has called for monthly meetings with management to monitor its financial situation.

The company is expected to report a 2002 operating loss of around E20m next month, following a pre-tax loss of E6.7m in 2001, its first in 10 years. It hopes that the roadside post box programme and a plan to shed almost 1,200 staff will put it on a more stable footing ahead of the opening of the postal market to competition over the coming years.