Yeah we've inherited the sub post office idea too. They're generally staying open and An Post is under HUGE politically pressure to keep them open. Most, but not all, are fully computerised and can thus offer the full range of services. Adding AIB (our largest bank) banking services and various other things has made them a lot more viable as AIB is desperate to roll back its own branch network and as the post office has fully computerised "bank-like" offices located at almost everywhere in the country the banks, credit card companies, airlines etc have seen them as a really cost effective way of providing proxy-branches. They've basically installed a very open & flexible computerised transaction system that can be set up to handle transactions for any third party via a simple touch screen interface and barcoding/swipe/smartcard readers. Any self-respecting "Post Master" or "Post Mistress" can handle it [Linked Image]

They've also extended their reach by adding thousands of "PostPoints" which are basically easy to use POS terminals installed in small shops, supermarkets etc that give access to bill payment, lodgement and withdrawal from various banks (ATM card and PIN pad access only), mobile top up, basic postal services etc. So your average news agent or petrol station can accept payment for your Electricity bill via the post office system.

and "Billpay.ie" which is a fully integrated bill payment system. You register all of your bills (cable, phone, electricity, gas, credit cards, etc etc) and the system accesses the various companies databases, keeps you up to date with what's outstanding.. issues you with email reminders and accepts payment online as a single credit/debit card payment or with a swipe card at a post office / post point as cash/card/cheque. Basically a bill consolidation system.

They even went as far as rebranding as "Post TS" (TS = Transaction Services)

It was an ideal use for a huge retail network that was gradually becoming obsolete.