There are conflicting reports over how many jobs will be lost in Co Mayo post offices following changes being introduced by An Post.
The Fine Gael spokesman on Public Enterprise, Mayo TD Mr Jim Higgins, says 32 jobs will be lost, while the head of communications for An Post, Mr John Foley, says the number is 16.
An Post is to transfer the jobs from post offices in Castlebar, Ballina, Westport and Claremorris to Galway.
This is the second major jobs loss to the county; Warners lingerie factory closed in Belmullet last week with the loss of 113 jobs.
Up to eight full-time clerk posts will be lost in each post office, according to Mr Higgins. The grade of head postmaster will no longer apply in the four offices. Instead the post will be divided into two new posts, mails manager and counter manager.
The deal was agreed under a new An Post business plan. The Communications Workers Union agreed to the deal by 51 to 49 per cent.
Mr Foley says An Post is moving from a head office system to an area-based system. "This will make us more efficient, it is part of gearing-up for competition. There will be no compulsory job losses. All redundancies, transfers or part-time working arrangements have been agreed with the CWU."