FEARS FOR STATUS OF FERMOY POST OFFICE
There is local speculation this week that Fermoy Post Office may be downgraded. Amid unconfirmed reports of planned changes, Angus Laverty, public affairs officer with An Post, said, “94% of Ireland’s post offices are run by contractors, and it can’t be ruled out that, in the future, the Fermoy Post Office will be contracted out as well.”
For now the status quo is being preserved at the post office which is currently run by An Post. However, a nationwide review of all branches has been underway for quite some time.
The Midleton branch has just changed from being a company-run facility to a new ‘contracted out’ status. It was one of 22 offices that recently changed ownership; 50 other branches, currently being looked at, will possibly follow the same route.
Should Fermoy’s Post Office be forced down that road, what changes should we expect? Mr Laverty points out that the outcome depends on the ‘local situation’.
“Ideally all staff would remain employed when the change occurs. The contractor is quite often a member of the staff, and as for the service offered; it is usually the case that this would be enhanced. A change of location is possible, but not necessary, depending on the circumstances”, Mr Laverty added.
Published:
Thursday 22nd May 7:39pm
