Post office in Co Kidare was part of pilot project to modernise services

Global communications company Ericsson carried out an investigation into how post offices can better serve their communities into the future, it has emerged.

The Swedish firm carried out sessions in Ballymore Eustace as part of an examination into the network which saw 198 post office closures between 2007 and 2010.

The country’s 1,300 post offices want to be given the chance to deliver remote health checks with hospital and GP link-up via technology; become a drop-off point for prescriptions; a local transport service hub; and tourist information point.

Ericcson recommended that Government immediately adopt a common strategy which includes proper funding for rural post offices.

They have also called for a pilot scheme to be bought in which would see post offices provide key services such as information and communications technology access and training, document verification, and social needs.

Ericsson is among a number of multinationals and third-level institutes including UCD, Microsoft, Goal, and Abbott Health Care, to back post offices.

Irish Postmasters’ Union general secretary Ned O’Hara said post offices provide a major opportunity for the Government to transform citizens’ access to services.

“We want to have a ‘no-wrong-door’ policy with all deliverable government services provided in all post offices across the country,” said Mr O’Hara.

Postmasters are calling on Government to sanction payments for all state services including HSE, CAO, and third-level registrations