Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2019
511. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason Eircode postcodes are only updated four times per year; if his attention has been drawn to a situation by which persons are unable to access broadband due to the fact that Eircode postcodes are not updated (details supplied); his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21396/19]
View answerEircodes are assigned to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses and Ordnance Survey Ireland provides the geo-locations for these buildings. An Post GeoDirectory, issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, in accordance with their licence agreement.
Each new address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website, a notification letter is issued to the occupant containing the Eircode of that address and the latest updated Eircode database is made available to licensed businesses for their use. Eircode have informed my Department that 78,400 addresses have been assigned an Eircode since the launch in 2015.
Once the Eircode database is updated on a quarterly basis, it is then a matter for individual Eircode data providers to provide updates to commercial businesses in accordance with the terms of licence agreements.
However, in recognition of the fact that earlier assignment of Eircodes to new builds is desirable, my officials are working with An Post, Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi), An Post GeoDirectory and Capita to improve and expedite the existing process.
