It was announced rates for postal services will increase from Thursday 21st July 2016.
- New domestic rate of 72c still well below EU Average.
- Programme of cost reduction and service development continues.
- Provision of Universal Service Obligation (USO) requires debate.
The standard domestic letter rate for items up to 100g within Ireland will increase from 70c to 72c while the standard international letter rate up to 100g will increase from €1.05 to €1.10.
Despite the increase, An Post’s rates will remain among the lowest in the EU 15 countries including Britain, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands and well below the EU domestic average of 93c (comparison table below). A wide range of discount options continue to be available to businesses and significant discount options continue for Ceadúnas licence and bulk-mail services. The new Ceadúnas rate for Standard Post letters up to 100g will be €0.70.
An Post has, over a number of years, invested in a programme of efficiency and cost reduction measures linked to the introduction of new products and services for customers. However the significant cost of supporting An Post’s Universal Service Obligation (USO) will require attention. The USO requires An Post to provide daily collection and delivery service to all areas of the country for a uniform tariff. In 2015 the cost of maintaining the USO was €32.3m. ‘’An Post is committed to providing excellent value for money, serving Irish business and being the trusted service provider of choice for business and personal customers’’, a spokesperson said.
