FERMOY POST OFFICE CONTRACTED OUT
Talking to The Avondhu last May, An Post public affairs officer, Angus Laverty, pointed out that 94% of all Irish post offices were contracted out and that the possibility that Fermoy would go down the same road in the future couldn’t be ruled out.
Five months later, the change of hands has taken place, through a contract between An Post and the new postmaster, Michael Hegarty that will take affect for the next five years, or so.
“Up until now I was the branch office manager and I was in charge of both the counter and the letter posting. Now my responsibility is to run only the counter section, which should improve the service as I will be able to fill in the busy periods,” Mr. Hegarty told The Avondhu.
“Three employees opted to stay after the new contract was drawn up, while two have taken the contract package”, he added.
While Michael Hegarty manages the counter, Brian Power who has been with Fermoy Post Office for a great many years and who is also a local town councillor, has been named working leader, or the new mail manager. He will have responsibility for the delivery and collection of letters.
The postal collection service is now located right next door to the main entrance of the post office. One just has to ring the bell and they will be allowed in. Up to now all postal services were amalgamated in the same office space.
“All the customers who pay for the postal collection service were informed of the change ahead of time,” said Mr Power.
Most customers, so far, haven’t noticed any marked difference in the set up of the office. It is still business as usual and the services offered have not changed. It is though hoped that the personal aspect of the service will improve.
“There will be new services from time to time. Prior to this we had to do whatever An Post decided. Now we’ll do anything that doesn’t clash with An Post, if the new services would prove helpful,” concluded Mr. Hegarty.
Published:
Thursday 30th October 5:43pm
