Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 March 2018
455. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the possibility of integrating a system (details supplied) into his Department's work, for example, with broadband delivery and-or the energy market and of using the system to support the Eircode system. [11199/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2013 a ten year licence was awarded to Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, to develop, implement, maintain and promote the National Postcode System "Eircode". Eircode have informed my Department that since launch in July 2015, Eircode usage, as part of an address, continues to grow and is used widely among the public, businesses and public sector. This, in part, can be seen by use of the free Eircode Finder app having to-date over 20 million free look-ups, with an average daily look-up of 38,000 in November 2017. Google have integrated Eircodes into Google Maps and TomTom and other satnav providers are currently in the process of integrating Eircodes into their satnav apps for use by consumers and businesses.
To date there are over 800 business organisations who licence and use Eircodes within their business operations across a wide spectrum of sectors. A number of these organisations deliver broadband to their customers such as Eir, Vodafone, Virgin Media, SKY, BT, Westnet and Imagine. Other organisations operating in the energy market such as Bord Gáis Energy and Electric Ireland utilise Eircodes to deliver services to their customers. Also, I understand that OpenEir and Gas Networks Ireland have integrated Eircode into their interactive online mapping tools that enables home and business owners to view the availability of fibre broadband and gas connections in their area.
As part of the National Broadband Plan, my Department has undertaken a comprehensive analysis and mapping process of high speed broadband availability across the country. My Department developed an interactive map (available at www.broadband.gov.ie ) which identifies locations and premises as being either served by the commercial sector (BLUE/LIGHT BLUE) or requiring State intervention (AMBER) under the NBP. This map, finalised for procurement in April 2017, is updated quarterly using the latest version of GeoDirectory and is searchable by both address and Eircode. I am satisfied that the combination of Eircode and Ordnance Survey Ireland mapping is sufficient for current NBP requirements.
The integration of the system referred to by the Deputy is an operational matter for the various commercial organisations and not one in which I as Minister have a role.
