An Post is to create 200 jobs as part of a €97m mail automation programme.
Of the new posts, 135 will be at an automated mail centre in Athlone, Co Westmeath, and the rest in Portlaoise, Co Laois.
Chief executive John Hynes said that when investment in automation was complete, An Post would have the capacity for automatic processing of up to 85% of its mail volume and provide its customers with a high quality next day delivery service.