Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Ireland is the only country in the EU and OECD that does not have a national postcode and the Government is strongly committed to introducing a national postcode system. The new postcode system will be an important part of national infrastructure.

The procurement process to select a postcode management licence holder to implement a national postcode system has been protracted and is ongoing. Intensive work has taken place on what is an extremely complex national project. The total cost of the postcode system will be determined through the procurement process. Therefore, I cannot give any estimate as to the cost of rolling out a national postcode system at this time.

However, I can say at this stage that the final invitation to tender has already issued. The responses to that invitation will be evaluated by the postcode evaluation team chaired by my Department during August, the end of July is the deadline for the bids. I intend to bring a comprehensive proposal to Government for approval in September. This proposal will include an evaluation of the technical and operational considerations and will also include the estimated costs of the implementation of the national postcode system.

In relation to the second part of your question, I do not envisage that the implementation of the postcode system will have any impact on employment levels in An Post. The national postcode system will facilitate improved efficiencies and quality improvements in the mails sector and provide a stimulus to mail volumes though improved direct marketing capabilities.

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