The number of post office closures in each of the past five years is as follows: 1997 – 14; 1998 – 17; 1999 – 10; 2000 – 34; and 2001 – 62. The locations are set out in the following tabular statement.
The current policy is that there should be no post office closures. However, vacancies within the network arise as a result of illness, death or retirement. In such cases, An Post advertises the post at least twice and actively canvasses for suitable persons to fill the vacant positions. It is only when a suitable candidate for a vacancy cannot be found or where there are no applicants that a post office is closed. Such closures are regarded as temporary pending an application from a suitable person.
Post Office Closures since 1997