Unless Government policy was altered, an estimated 1,500 post offices would close next year, leaving about 300 for the State, the general secretary of the Irish Postmasters Union said yesterday.
Ms Vera Hogan, speaking at the annual delegate conference of the union in Malahide, Co Dublin, at the weekend, accused the Government of trying to hide the fact of the closures until after the local elections.
The cause of the problem, according to Ms Hogan, was the decision by the Minister for Social Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern, to put social welfare payments out to tender.
She said post offices depended on social welfare business for their survival.
"The changes will be effective from January 1st next. A serious question must be raised as to whether the Department is pushing to tender to specifically suit the commercial banks to the detriment of the sub-post offices," Ms Hogan said.
The union was launching a campaign to "Save your local post office" to coincide with the local and European elections next month.