A Co Monaghan man has raised his concerns over the future of post offices in rural towns and villages. Ciaran McEntee is the Vice President of the Irish Post Masters Union. The experienced postmaster who is situated in Threemilehouse, believes that the "use it or lose it" approach is more profound now than ever before when it comes to using your local post office. According to the local postmaster, online services and bills being paid through direct debit is having a knock-on effect local footfall. He added that small post offices are "struggling" right across the country and has encouraged local people in Monaghan to support their local postmaster whenever they can.
An Post has confirmed that Roscommon Post Office will close, becoming a contractor run post office which will see Roscommon town join 95 % of the over 900 branches across the country that will enter this new business model. Speaking on today's Joe Finnegan Show, Mr Entee described the move as "positive."
Highlighting the importance of locals still supporting the service, Mr McEntee said; "Use it or lose it - that's the answer," explained Mr McEntee. "We're struggling for business because a lot of stuff has gone online now. The post office is really for people who want to pay a bill or break down their money each week, but for the small post offices now we're starting to struggle. Only for the Government stepping in and giving us a subsidy last year, we would be struggling even more."
