If you have already been to the post office today you may have noticed postage prices have changed. From today a stamp for a standard domestic letter costs 60 cent which is an increase of 5 cent.
Meanwhile the international rate for a standard letter will rise from 82 cent to 90 cent.
ComReg approved the price increases. The body says they were needed to ensure the viability of An Post. The semi-state body estimates that the price change will provide an extra €11 million in revenue in its first full year.
No change in over 6 years
An Post says the standard domestic rate has not changed since March 2007. It says that despite the increase rates here "remain amongst the very lowest in the EU 15 countries, including Britain, France, Germany and Belgium".
It adds that the increase "is essential to sustain the financial stability of An Post’s Universal Service Obligation (USO), whereby all customers, in all areas, are provided with daily collection and delivery services for a uniform tariff".
"An Post continues to focus on stringent cost saving and the development of new revenue streams but this price increase is required to ensure a sustainable USO" a spokesperson commented.
