Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the possible introduction of postcodes; his views on the benefits of postcodes; the amount spent already on postcodes; the expected full cost; if he will explain the way it will be self-financing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35508/09]

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the criticisms from a union (details supplied) in relation to his announcement of the introduction of postcodes; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35502/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 41 together.

The Government recently approved the implementation of a postcode system as recommended by the National Postcode Project Board (NPPB). My officials and I are currently working to address the next steps in this project, including the process of retention of a body to implement the proposed system. It is expected that postcodes, which are in operation in almost all European countries, will be assigned and in use in 2011.

A report by the NPPB, which is a board comprised of representatives from Government Departments, together with public and private sector organisations including the Communications Workers Union, identified many postal and non postal benefits of introducing postcodes and recommended that a postcode be introduced. The report estimated that the upfront cost of establishing a postcode address database, implementing and promoting the postcode would be in the region of €15m. The ongoing annual maintenance costs will be self-financing in that they would be met from revenues generated by the postcode manager charging for value added products and services.

As a key piece of national infrastructure, a postcode system can deliver economic and social benefits and assist with the future development of the postal sector, which will benefit consumers and postal operators. It will also greatly assist the development of the digital economy by enabling the trading of goods and services over the Internet. It will also assist with the efficient, effective and innovative delivery of certain public services and will also unlock the potential across Government Departments for use of spatial data for policy planning.

Whilst many of the benefits of postcodes cannot be accurately gauged in monetary terms, consultants asked to review the public sector benefits estimated the monetary benefits to the State would be €22 million in the medium term. This analysis incurred fees of €54,450. Separately, the NPPB was assisted in its work by technical and economic consultants, recruited and funded in 2005 by ComReg, at a cost of approximately €479,000.