The Irish Post Office, An Post operates the most extensive post office network I've seen anywhere and it's becoming increasingly difficult to justify it although any attempts to roll it back results in major protests, particularly in rural areas.
The Post offices, recently re-branded "postshop(tm)" actually provide a lot of services here other than mail:
1) Mail / fast package delivery
2) Post Office Bank
3) Full social welfare system access, including welfare payments are done through the post offices.
4) AIB (our largest retail bank) offers full banking service over the counter in any post office.
5) Bill payment, they accept payment for almost every conceivable bill.
6) Travel agency and booking system for a number of airlines, including Ryanair.
7) They own and operate the national lottery system.
8) Retail items: Stationary, cards, mobile phone top ups etc etc.
9) they also offer their own financial service products (insurance etc) and credit card.
10) the point of access for processing of passports if you don't want to go to the Passport Office and queue.
In order to keep the network of offices open they had to seriously step up the no of services.
