“We are one of the only developed countries in the world that doesn’t have a postcode. When I took office I asked my officials to set up an expert Working Group to undertake a full examination of the issue and to report back to me,” said Minister Dempsey.
He said a working group he had set up to look at the issue had identified 'substantial benefits' to be gained by the introduction of a postcode. Minister Dempsey said a new system would improve the quality of postal services and also help public utilities and businesses to accurately identify their customers.
'In particular, it is planned to overcome the problem of identifying the estimated 40% of addresses in Ireland that are not unique,' said Minister Dempsey, who described a postcode as 'a vital piece of infrastructure for a modern developed economy'.
An Post has said postal codes are not necessary. As in Britain, the system would mean a combination of numbers and letters is added to every address.
The company says that for the past 10 years it has been operating technology to sort mail that is far more sophisticated. It adds that devising, implementing and maintaining a system of postal codes will involve high costs.
“A postcode is a vital piece of infrastructure for a modern developed economy. Without an effective postcode in Ireland, there is a real danger that not only postal operators, but also consumers, business and public services will be at a disadvantage compared to our EU partners. This Fianna Fáil led Government is committed to redressing this situation,” he added.
To advance the project, the Minister will shortly appoint a National Postcode Project Management Board, which will represent stakeholders. The Minister has asked the Chairperson of ComReg, Isolde Goggin, to appoint Project Managers with the necessary technical expertise to design a suitable postcode and to subject it to a full cost benefit analysis. The Project Managers will report to the Project Board.
Work on the design of the project, which is expected to take about six months to complete, will get underway following a tendering process to select the Project Managers.
