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Postal Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020

Tuesday, 8 September 2020

Ceisteanna (127, 160)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

127. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if his attention has been drawn to delays in issuing Eircodes to new properties; if his attention has been further drawn to the knock-on effect this is having in relation to the provision of broadband and landline services to private households especially those households that are working remotely due to the Covid-19 restrictions; the reason for the delay in issuing such Eircodes; the action he plans to take in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21695/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

160. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if he will consider changing the frequency of new Eircodes being added to the database to monthly as opposed to quarterly in view of the fact that new homeowners are being forced to wait on broadband connectivity for months due to lack of an Eircode. [22390/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 160 together.

Eircodes 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 postal address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website, a notification letter is issued to the property occupant containing the Eircode of that address and an updated Eircode Database is provided to licensed businesses for their use. Eircode have informed my Department that over 117,500 property 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 commercial businesses to apply and integrate the latest Eircode updates into their systems to meet their business needs and those of their customers, in accordance with the terms of their licence agreements.

Operational matters and commercial decisions of private commercial operators, including the updating of databases, are a matter for these commercial operators and one in which I have no direct function.

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.

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