Irish postal operator An Post will hike prices next month after gaining a green light from thecountry’s postal regulator Comreg for the first increase for six years.
ComReg approved the application for an increase of 5c in the standard domestic letter ratefrom 55c to 60c as of April 2, 2013. The international letter rate for all destinations outside theisland of Ireland will increase from 82c to 90c.
The rate for sending a 50g – 100g domestic letter will be reduced from 65c to 60c as the newrate will cover postage up to 100g.
An Post welcomed the regulator’s approval, commenting that the increase “is essential tosustain the financial stability” of An Post’s Universal Service Obligation (USO), whereby allcustomers, in all areas, are provided with daily collection and delivery services for a uniformtariff. “An Post continues to focus on stringent cost saving and the development of new revenuestreams but this price increase is required to ensure a sustainable USO,” a spokesperson commented.
Ireland’s standard domestic rate has not changed since March 2007, a period of more than sixyears. The company stressed that despite the increase, An Post rates will remain amongst thevery lowest in the EU 15 countries, including Britain, France, Germany and Belgium.
