Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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949. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will examine a submission regarding Eircode (details supplied); his views on this comprehensive and logical report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49552/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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My Department commenced a procurement process for a National Postcode System in 2011. An open and competitive procurement process was conducted in accordance with Department of Finance and EU procurement frameworks. A pre-qualification questionnaire was issued on on 17 January 2011. This invited interested parties to tender for the contract as a postcode management licence holder for a period of 10 years to design, provide, disseminate and maintain a National Postcode System. A number of companies entered and participated in the procurement process. Three parties qualified following Stage 1 of the procurement process. Landmark, a UK company, withdrew from the process at the final tender stage. The Department subsequently received two final bids from consortia led by Capita and An Post.

On 8 October 2013, the Government approved the appointment of Capita Business Support Services Ireland Limited as the company which will develop, roll-out and operate the National Postcode System.

I have received the submission referenced by the Question and make the following general points. There has been widespread support from both public sector bodies and private businesses with particular interest from the retail and financial industries for the introduction of postcodes nationally. In addition, the emergency services see the introduction of postcodes as facilitating the speedier deployment of their services. An Post, who were actively involved in the design process, and who are fully committed to using Eircodes, are currently updating their mail sortation systems to fully integrate with Eircodes. Eircodes will facilitate improved efficiencies and quality improvements in the mails sector and provide a stimulus to mail volumes through improved marketing capabilities. The consortium developing the system has also undertaken a significant programme of business engagement with both private and public stakeholders. The unique identifier will be particularly useful in identifying the 35% of addresses in Ireland which are non-unique.

The Government is fully committed to introducing Eircodes. The project is currently in the implementation phase and is scheduled to be rolled out nationwide by the middle of 2015. Every Irish address will be receiving a unique Eircode by post. In common with postcodes systems internationally, our postcode system is designed to identify addresses as opposed to other physical features and locations.

My Department will respond directly to the correspondent in relation to the submission with reference to the detailed points contained therein.