Written Answers Nos. 197-219
197. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes targeted per retrofit scheme; and the number of fossil fuel powered boilers installed per scheme in tabular form. [23029/22]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers a range of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Grants of up to 50% are now available for individuals who can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy efficiency retrofits for people at risk of energy poverty. A total of €267 million in capital funding has been provided this year for SEAI residential and community schemes. The target number of homes to be upgraded in 2022 is almost 27,000, which includes over 5,000 homes in the Energy Poverty Schemes. Approximately 8,600 will be upgraded to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 or higher. The SEAI advise that to the end of April, approx. 5,000 homes have been completed under the residential and community energy efficiency schemes, which includes over 1,200 homes in the energy poverty schemes. Approximately, 1,500 have been upgraded to a post works BER of B2 or better.
Only the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme and the Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme fund replacement fossil fuel boiler upgrades. The number of fossil fuel powered boilers installed per Scheme is set out in the Table below.
|
Year |
2021 |
2022* |
|
WHS |
574 |
295 |
|
W&W |
92 |
44 |
*to 6th May 2022
In order to move the Warmer Homes scheme away from the installation of fossil fuel boilers, the National Retrofit Plan included a commitment to carry out a pilot to upgrade homes under the scheme to a B2 standard and install heat pumps. This pilot commenced on schedule in Q1 2022 and will gather evidence to inform the appropriate process and approach – to increase the number of B2 upgrades and heat pumps installations delivered under the scheme.
198. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes in the warmer homes scheme that have achieved a building energy rating, BER, of B2 or greater for years 2019-2022, in tabular form. [23030/22]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 145,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme. In 2021, the average cost of the energy efficiency measures provided per household had increased to €17,620. The number of homes upgraded under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme that have achieved a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 or better are set out in the Table below.
|
Warmer Homes Scheme |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 (to end April) |
|
BER B2 or better |
29 |
18 |
46 |
40 |
199. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department or any of the agencies under his aegis has carried out an impact assessment of any kind on the potential effect on water quality and biodiversity in the River Boyne arising from this development (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23033/22]
View answerThe Environmental Protection Agency undertakes a range of regulatory tasks relating to the licensing, permitting, consenting or certification of activities that could have an impact on the environment or on human health. In this context, the Agency is the competent authority for granting and enforcing industrial and waste licences. The Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications is constrained by the provisions of Sections 79(3) and 86(5) of the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992, as amended from becoming involved in any way with the licensing of installations under the EPA Act or in the control of installations so licensed.
200. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of social media posts made on each of his Departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit that were exclusively in Irish between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022, inclusive; the percentage of same that feature bilingual translations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23047/22]
View answer201. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of social media posts made on each of his Departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit that were exclusively in languages besides English or Irish between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022, inclusive; the percentage of same that featured languages besides English or Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23065/22]
View answer202. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of social media videos posted on each of his Departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit that included closed captioning and or subtitling between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23083/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 200, 201 and 202 together.
My Department is committed to ensuring that information and services are accessible to all citizens. The Department's Irish Language Scheme sets out our commitments in terms of providing information, services and participation through Irish. Certain documents are published by my Department bilingually on gov.ie, including policy documents and public consultations. In some cases where my Department uses social media to raise awareness of policy initiatives, the information being highlighted by the post or tweet is available bilingually on gov.ie.My Department ensures, to the greatest extent possible, that our published video content includes closed captioning or subtitling.My Department does not have a role in the social media activity of our agencies and bodies, any content is entirely a matter for those organisations, The questions have, therefore, been referred to the relevant agencies for direct reply.Total posts across Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram: 473 (100%)Posts exclusively in Irish: 1 (0.21%)Bilingual posts: 9 (1.9%)Posts in a language other than English or Irish: 0 (0 0%)Total videos posted: 99Videos with closed captioning or subtitles: 98 (98%).
203. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on when the pending survey of the Bantry area under the National Broadband Plan will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23144/22]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in almost 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools. I am advised by NBI that as of 29 April 2022, almost 323,000 premises have now been surveyed and over 175,000 premises are under construction or complete across 26 counties, demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. I am further advised that over 65,500 premises are now available to order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 22 counties, with over 47,100 premises passed across 21 counties and available for immediate connection. NBI has further advised that over 10,500 premises have been connected, as of 29 April, and that this is increasing on a daily basis. To date, the level of connections is in line with projections and some areas are exceeding expectations.
In County Cork surveying is complete in the Deployment Areas of Templemartin, Tallow, Kanturk, Fermoy and Clonakilty, main works are underway in the Deployment Areas of Midleton and Youghal and network build is complete in the Deployment Area of Carrigaline. To date over 39,100 premises in County Cork have been surveyed, with over 17,600 premises under construction or complete and over 8,900 premises now available to order or pre-order. With regard to the area referred to in the Question, I am advised by NBI that it is anticipated that surveying will commence in the Bantry Deployment Area in H1 2023.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie . Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 29 April, 574 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. In County Cork 23 BCP’s have been installed to date. The site at Mealagh Valley Community Centre, which is now connected, is located approximately 10km from Bantry. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/ .
In County Cork 45 schools have been installed by NBI to date for educational access. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/ .
204. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of persons currently on the warmer homes Scheme waiting list; the average waiting time from application to having work completed; the average cost of a retrofit per home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23151/22]
View answer205. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reasons identified contributing to the delays in the warmer homes scheme retrofitting scheme; the actions being taken to reduce the delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23152/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 205 together. 204 and 205 together.The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 145,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme. In 2021, the average cost of the energy efficiency measures provided per household had increased to €17,620.
Activity under the scheme, and the associated expenditure, were significantly impacted in both 2020 and 2021 by the COVID pandemic, when construction activity was paused for approximately 12 months in total. Furthermore, access to properties during restricted periods, in line with Government guidelines, was often challenging. SEAI data indicates that for homes completed in Quarter 1 2022, the average cycle time from application to completion was approximately 27 months. While this delay was largely driven by COVID related issues, the deeper measures being provided under the scheme since 2018, also involve more substantive works.
There are currently just under 8,000 homes awaiting works on the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme work programme. This includes homes that are currently undergoing works; have been allocated to contractors for works; have completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor or are awaiting the initial survey of their home. It is important to note that the SEAI received 2,388 applications for the scheme this year, to the end of April, compared with 2,874 for the whole of 2022. The increased publicity around the launch of the new SEAI scheme and revisions to the Warmer Homes scheme, together with increased energy costs are driving demand.
Delivering free energy upgrades to low income households and reducing the waiting times on the Warmer Homes scheme waiting list is a top priority for my Department and SEAI. In order to reduce this timeline to completion and target a monthly average of 400 completions this year, the following actions have already been taken:
- The budget, at €109 million, is nearly three times the 2021 outturn (€38 million) and funding has also been sought through the European Regional Development Fund;·
- SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme;·
- SEAI is working to Increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management.
Any necessary further measures identified as required by SEAI to increase output under this key Scheme will also be taken and progress is kept under ongoing review. I understand the number of completions under the scheme in April 2022 rose to 376 which represents real progress.
206. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide details of contracts awarded in 2022 by his Department or bodies under his aegis outside the standard procurement process in order to assist the arrival of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23193/22]
View answerMy Department has not awarded any contracts in 2022 outside the standard procurement process in order to assist the arrival of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.
The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
207. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department employs persons or firms to deal with public relations; if so, the number of persons employed by his Department or firms to deal with public relations; the names of firms involved; and the total amount spent on public relations by his Department. [23222/22]
View answerThe information requested in the Question, covering the period since the current Government formed, is outlined in the table below.
|
Consultant/Company |
Purpose |
Cost (incl. VAT) |
|
RPS Group/ RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd. |
Communications support for GSI Tellus programme and in particular airborne survey helpline. |
€124, 131.19 |
208. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the Irish reserves of oil and gas; the way that they are held; if they comply with European Union requirements; and if there are plans to expand such reserves. [23283/22]
View answerIreland’s policy of holding a Strategic Oil Reserve equivalent to 90 days supply is required by both its membership of the EU and the International Energy Agency (IEA) and is provided for by the National Oil Reserves Agency Act (NORA) 2007. NORA has operational responsibility for the day to day management of the State's strategic oil reserve. These reserves are available to be placed in the domestic market in the event of a shortage of petroleum products arising in the commercial supply chains or released to the international markets as part of an IEA collective action. Member countries of the IEA, including Ireland, agreed on 1 March and 1 April to coordinated releases of strategic oil stocks to help ensure stable international energy markets. These actions will reduce strategic stock levels to 85 days supply. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, my Department, in conjunction with NORA and the oil industry assess the supply situation in the normal commercial markets on an ongoing basis.
Ireland does not have natural gas storage facilities. There is no EU requirement to have gas storage within a Member State. The European Commission is working closely with EU Member States to protect the resilience of Europe’s gas security of supply. The Commission is also actively engaging with other countries to ensure sufficient and timely supply of natural gas to the EU from diverse sources across the globe to avoid supply shocks, including those that could result from disruptions. In close coordination with Member States, the Commission will submit a plan to phase out dependency on Russian gas by the end of May 2022.
209. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of Irish energy interconnection for the supply of energy that is, gas, electricity, oil and so on; and the way that the capacity for delivery compares to average daily usage in each case. [23284/22]
View answerIn relation to natural gas around three-quarters is imported from the UK with the remainder being provided by Corrib. The capacity of the gas interconnectors with the UK is sufficient to meet all our current gas demand, should that be required, for example if maintenance works are taking place at Corrib. In relation to electricity, EirGrid’s Generation Capacity Statement (2021-2030), sets out that the east-west interconnector, has a power rating of 500 MW and that the capacity resilience of the existing north-south interconnector is 100 MW (North to South) and 200 MW (South to North). The new North South Interconnector will allow for the flow of 900 MW electricity between Ireland and Northern Ireland and will enhance the operation of the all-island single electricity market, increase security of supply, and facilitate higher levels of renewable electricity. Projects for additional future interconnection include the 500MW Greenlink Interconnector between Wexford and South Wales, and the 700MW Celtic Interconnector between East Cork and Brittany, France.
Oil is a fully liberalised market and there is no direct oil interconnector between Ireland and another country.
210. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total capacity of battery storage either held by energy utilities or through supply and demand management agreements; and the way that the capacity compares to average daily usage. [23285/22]
View answerThe variability challenge posed by renewable energy creates the need for a range of interventions. Storage technology, including battery storage, alongside demand-side response and interconnection, will be key as Ireland seeks to increase its share of renewable electricity up to 80 per cent by 2030. The 2021 Climate Action Plan has set out specific actions to address storage, including the publication of a policy framework for electricity storage, based on electricity system needs, which my Department is currently working on and which is due for publication next year.
EirGrid has reported that a number of battery projects have been contracted via two mechanisms: SEM Capacity Auctions and DS3 Systems Services. These routes offer different but essential services to the power system on the island of Ireland.
There is currently approximately 500MW of short duration batteries on the all-island system providing system services such as reserve. There are also approximately 500MW of batteries either connected, or contracted to connect to the system over the next four years, to provide capacity to the all island power system. The average duration of these batteries providing capacity is approximately 1.5 hours. Further detailed information is available from EirGrid if the Deputy wishes to contact them.
211. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the obligations in Ireland to share access to gas supplies should the supply of gas from any source to be curtailed; and the way that this is being factored into preparations. [23286/22]
View answerIreland is working with the European Commission and other Member States to address the challenges posed by the war in Ukraine, which includes the European Commission seeking alternative gas supply routes and ensuring solidarity between EU Member States. Around one quarter of Ireland’s natural gas comes from the Corrib gas field with the remaining three-quarters imported from the UK which has a diverse source of gas including indigenous gas, gas from Norway, LNG, gas storage and via interconnectors with the Netherlands and Belgium.
Ireland is not directly connected to the gas system of any other Member State and cannot export gas over the interconnectors with the UK, which are unidirectional.
212. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the aggregate offshore areas in which licences to explore for gas or oil exist; the areas in which recent activity in terms of surveys or preliminary drilling have been sought; if these have been approved; and his views on their potential. [23287/22]
View answerInformation on all petroleum authorisations is updated and published on a quarterly basis on gov.ie (www.gov.ie/en/publication/10d43-acreage-reports-and-concession-maps/). The most recent such report and concession map cover the three month period ending 31 March 2022. In addition, Section 57 of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960 requires that I lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas every six months a report detailing all petroleum authorisations extant and granted during the period of the report. The last such report laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas was in respect of the six-month period ending 31 December 2021 and is available at www.gov.ie/en/collection/5da3e-six-monthly-reports-to-the-oireachtas-on-petroleum-exploration-and-development-in-ireland/
Furthermore, information related to applications to undertake activities under a Petroleum Authorisation are also made available on gov.ie
(www.gov.ie/en/collection/current-applications-for-statutory-petroleum-consent-notices/)
Neither I nor my Department comment on the potential of individual authorisations.
213. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the volume of recoverable gas which remain in proven fields in the Irish offshore; and the way that it compares to Irelands annual gas consumption. [23288/22]
View answerSince the Kinsale, Seven Heads and Ballycotton gas fields ceased production in July 2020, the Corrib gas field has been the only producing field offshore Ireland. Prior to the commencement of production, the Corrib gas field was originally estimated to hold in the order of one trillion cubic feet of gas. Production commenced in December 2015, reaching a production plateau at the beginning of 2018. Since that point, production at Corrib has been in decline and is currently projected to cease in approximately 2030. While petroleum authorisation holders may generate their own resource estimates for their prospect, these are unproven volumes and are only an estimate of what might be present, based on the available geological and geophysical data.
214. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the withdrawal of Britain from the European Union creates new concerns from an energy security point of view; if not, if it creates new obligations for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23289/22]
View answerNotwithstanding the UK leaving the EU, the interconnection infrastructure remains the same as when the UK was a Member State and gas and electricity continue to be traded. There also continues good cooperation between Irish and UK system operators. Gas supply from the UK is considered one of the most secure in Europe with diverse supplies of natural gas from indigenous production, pipeline connections to Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands, and substantial capacity for liquified natural gas imports. However, it should be noted that the UK’s indigenous production is decreasing, resulting in increased imports of liquified natural gas.
Gas Networks Ireland and the National Grid, which operates the gas transmission system in Great Britain, have a Joint Protocol for Load Shedding at the Moffat Interconnection Point in Gas Supply Emergencies. This protocol sets out that, in the event of a shortage of natural gas supply in the UK that could affect supplies in Ireland, the overriding principal that will be applied is one of proportionality. This seeks to ensure that, in the event of a disruption to gas supplies, any reductions would be on a proportional basis across the UK and Ireland.
The UK is no longer bound by EU law on obligations related to energy security. The UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) provides a legal framework for cooperation on security of gas and electricity supply between the EU and the UK. The TCA commits both parties to develop appropriate frameworks for cooperation with respect to the security of supply of electricity and natural gas.
215. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to an Icelandic oil drilling operation close to the bounds of Irish territory near the Maury Channel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23301/22]
View answerI am not aware of an Icelandic oil drilling operation near the Maury Channel. The petroleum functions within my Department extend to the regulation of petroleum authorisations (and offshore activity under those authorisations) issued in accordance with the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960 in respect of areas under Irish jurisdiction. Information on all petroleum authorisations is updated and published on a quarterly basis on gov.ie (www.gov.ie/en/publication/10d43-acreage-reports-and-concession-maps/). The most recent such report and Concession Map cover the three month period ending 31 March 2022.
216. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the up-to-date position regarding the review of the security of energy supply; if a draft or preliminary report has been issued to him or to his Department; if so, when the draft report issue; when he will publish the report; the reason for delaying the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23391/22]
View answerThe National Energy Security Framework, published in April 2022, is a response to the challenges of ensuring the ongoing and long-term security of affordable energy supply. The Framework provides a single overarching and initial response to address Ireland’s energy security needs in the context of the war in Ukraine. It coordinates work connected to energy security across the electricity, gas and oil sectors and sets out a ‘Whole-of Government’ response to the challenges posed to energy security and energy affordability. As stated in the National Energy Security Framework, my Department is carrying out a review of the energy security of Ireland's gas and electricity systems for delivery in Q3 2022. The review is considering the risks to both natural gas and electricity supplies, and a range of measures, including the need for additional capacity to import energy, energy storage, fuel diversification and renewable gases (such as hydrogen).
The underpinning analysis is now being updated to, amongst other things, reflect changing circumstances following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The war has highlighted key dependencies in our energy system which can no longer be relied on and has led to affordability issues for many consumers and businesses.
217. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that An Post refuse to deliver post addressed using Eircode postcodes; and the timeline to amend same. [23407/22]
View answerAs Minister of State in the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, I have responsibility for the postal sector, including the governance of An Post, to ensure the company is fully compliant with the code of practice for the governance of State Bodies and the governance functions included in the statutory framework underpinning An Post. Operational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for mail delivery service is a matter for the Board and the management of An Post and not one in which I, as Minister, have a statutory function. Consequently, the mails delivery service is a matter for An Post.
An Post have advised the Department that Eircodes have been fully integrated into An Post’s automated sorting systems, including their mail centres and An Post’s national automated parcel hub (DPH) where Eircode has also been fully integrated in the plant’s operating system. An Post actively encourages the use, by mailers, of a full postal address including Eircode.
218. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has engaged with the owners of large scale-data centres in the context of persuading them to switch to cloud-based solutions for existing and future infrastructure investments in this State in order to reduce their carbon footprint. [23412/22]
View answerUnder the Climate Action Plan 2021, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has committed to reviewing the 2018 'Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland's Enterprise Strategy' to ensure alignment with Ireland’s renewable energy targets, sectoral emissions and climate priorities. This is part of a suite of actions included in the Climate Action Plan 2021 to ensure that Ireland is planning appropriately for new energy demand in the context of our electrification and decarbonisation ambitions, while facilitating growth in digitalisation and our technology sector. In this regard, my Department has been engaging with officials in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, as well as relevant state agencies, on the development of this revised Statement to ensure that there is a plan-led, regionally balanced approach to the connection of data centres, taking into account existing grid availability, security of supply and decarbonisation objectives. As part of this process, all viable options to ensure that the connection of new data centres aligns with CAP21 energy transition objectives, including decarbonisation objectives, will be explored. The minister does not envisage connections of additional new data centre capacity, not already contracted, until such time as they are proven to conform with sectoral emissions ceilings and security of supply.In addition, the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act provides, inter alia, for a maximum amount of emissions to be permitted in different sectors of the economy during a carbon budget period, referred to as ‘sectoral emissions ceilings’. All sectors of the economy have sectoral emissions ceilings and emissions from data centres will be accounted for within the relevant sectoral emissions ceiling.
219. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that An Post does not use the Eircode system as part of its delivery service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23429/22]
View answerAs Minister of State in the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, I have responsibility for the postal sector, including the governance of An Post, to ensure the company is fully compliant with the code of practice for the governance of State Bodies and the governance functions included in the statutory framework underpinning An Post. Operational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for mail delivery service is a matter for the Board and the management of An Post and not one in which I, as Minister, have a statutory function. Consequently, the mails delivery service is a matter for An Post.
An Post have advised the Department that Eircodes have been fully integrated into An Post’s automated sorting systems, including their mail centres and An Post’s national automated parcel hub (DPH) where Eircode has also been fully integrated in the plant’s operating system. An Post actively encourages the use, by mailers, of a full postal address including Eircode.
