In an independent review by Grant Thornton, a business consultant, the post office network would collapse if state support was not provided immediately.

The report, commissioned by the Irish Postmasters Union, recommends a $ 17 million annual Public Service Liability (PSO) for the Post Office Network.

It says the network continues to provide economic and social income to communities far beyond what public service obligation requires.

The report warns of the need to take this action within months as the network faces unrestricted closures by the end of 2021.

“The Irish Post Office network is at a critical juncture. The financial security and sustainability of the network is being challenged as never before in its history,” the report said.

Many regional post offices, large and small, both urban and rural, will be forced to close short-term changing economic conditions.

PSO models for post office networks are not uncommon and have already been introduced in the UK, France, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Finland and Poland with the approval of the European Commission.

The study recommends that Ireland now follow this model.