Raising the price of stamps will impact the elderly claims councillor

The latest increase in the price of stamps will have an impact on the elderly who continue to communicate through written correspondence, a county councillor has said.

Letter with only an email address on envelope finds its way to Donegal

An Post praised for going the extra mile to deliver the letter to the intended recipient

It is reported that it will cost an extra 15 cent to send a letter anywhere in Ireland, from next month. An Post have announced increases to the price of both national and international stamps, starting from March 1, 2022. The price of an international stamp is expected to increase to € 2.20. The cost of a national 10-stamp booklet will remain at the current price of €11.

The CEO of An Post David McRedmond says hyper-inflation in the global postal industry is driving up the cost of stamps.

Anna McHugh from An Post said that despite the increase, Irish stamp prices remain lower than many European countries. “The increases when they come in will still be less than the average across Europe by quite a bit. The average across Europe for the domestic standard letter is €1.58, and it will be €1.25 in Ireland,” she told breakingnews.ie.

However, Independent Councillor Niamh Kennedy says a specific demographic will be hit hardest by the price hike. Cllr Kennedy says that today's news is unwelcome especially in light of the increase in the cost of living which is impacting the elderly. 

Speaking on OceanFM, she says it's unfortunate considering the volume of business An Post conduct on an annual basis they feel it necessary to introduce a price increase on stamps.

 She said: "It is just one thing after another and people are getting very, very fed up with it ... it is very difficult for people to just make ends meet and this is just another increase that people don't expect."

Breaking: Man jailed for cocaine-fuelled Glenties shooting spree

Carlow man Stephen Dowling caused a night of terror, leaving Gardaí in fear of their lives

She said an increase of €5 in the pension is gone 'in the blink of an eye' with all the increases. 

The older people send cards and stay in touch with loved ones by using the Post Office and it is very important to this age group.