An Post is to increase the price of a national postage stamp by 25 cents on Feb 27th – the price will increase to €1.65. Company says postal prices globally are increasing due lower letter volumes and the continuing fixed cost networks – all existing stamps that customers may have remain valid and fully useable after 27th February.
An Post says the increase covers cost inflation and impact of falling letter revenue while securing the national letter service in terms of staffing, infrastructure and vehicles. Rates for meter, bulk mail, digital stamps and some other services will also increase. There will be no increase to domestic large envelopes, packets or Registered Post rates and stamp discounts will continue for Small and Medium sized enterprises. Letter volumes have declined over 8% in the last 12 months, 40% since 2017 and 50% in the last decade. 93% of letters are generated by businesses or government bodies with just 7% comprising personal cards and letters according to An Post.
An Post says it’s staff will continue to check in on elderly customers, particularly those living alone in isolated rural areas and will work with Irish charity Alone to support communications services. An Post will also extend to the end of 2025 the free delivery service for all letters and parcels up to 1kg posted to residents of Nursing and Care homes in the State – this service was introduced during the Pandemic to help reduce the impacts of social isolation.