Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will introduce a system of postcodes; if he will publish the national postcode project board's feasibility study and cost-benefit analysis on the potential introduction of postcodes; the amount of the final cost of implementation of postcodes that will be financed by the taxpayer; if there will be a general consultation process before a system of postcodes is introduced; the type of postcode system he favours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21358/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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A proposal, based on the recommendations of the National Postcode Project Board (NPPB) concerning the introduction of postcodes, was made to Government in May 2007. The work of the NPPB focused on quantifying the costs and benefits of postcodes to the postal sector including postal operators and customers and did not explicitly address non-postal costs and benefits. Two extensive consultations with stakeholders both within and outside the postal sector were carried out as part of the process. The proposal of the NPPB was to proceed with an alpha-numeric postal sector postcode model.

The consultants assisting the NPPB estimated that the upfront cost of establishing, implementing and promoting the postcode would be in the region of €15m with any ongoing expenses to be met from revenues generated by the postcode manager.

Government decided last year that prior to the introduction of postcodes, further analysis to quantify the wider economic implications should be carried out. My Department has recruited consultants to assist it in carrying out this analysis, in order to establish a more complete estimate of the costs and benefits of postcodes to the public sector. This work will be completed shortly. On receipt of the analysis I will assess the position with a view to a further submission to Government.