THE COST OF a postage stamp has gone up today by 39%.
Although the increase was flagged back in March, the exact date it would be brought in was not given, so the price hike could come as a shock to some customers.
From today, the cost of sending a letter is:
The figures represent a 39% and 12% increase respectively. An Post say these increases are necessary to remain in business.
Last month, An Post CEO David McRedmond said the price increase is about setting the right price and it is “pretty much the average price across Europe”.
That’s not entirely accurate. Although the mean price is €1.10, the most common price of a stamp in Europe is around 75 cent.
At €1, Ireland’s stamp price is the fourth highest in Europe.
McRedmond told Today with Sean O’Rourke on RTÉ Radio 1 the increase is “absolutely necessary” and at €1, the cost still represents “very good value”.
According to An Post, the new prices represent “the real cost of the mails service and ensure continuity of daily, nationwide collections and deliveries to every address for a uniform price”.
An Post says that where the impact on the increased stamp price is greatest – businesses, for example, that send items in bulk – it will offer them better volume discounts.
An Post is currently conducting a major strategic review of the scale, scope and structure, taking into account major ongoing technology and market shifts.
Its work will be completed by next month. Postal operators across Europe are facing huge challenges because of emails replacing traditional letters. Mail volumes in Ireland have declined by 38% in the past decade.
“Across the world,” McRedmond said. “Postal companies have already taken action to deal with the challenges of a rapidly changing market and we must do the same.
An Post delivers consistently excellent service and we must charge the correct price for this service.
“Mail continues to be an important, effective medium and even with these increased tariffs, still represents real value.”
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