Eircode - its implemetation (merged)

Happy first birthday Eircode!

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Last week, a survey showed that only 5% of the public use their Eircode on letter post.

Mr. Dermot Divilly:
Yes, less than 5%.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Of the commercial operators, the people that An Post must compete with in the delivery system, only 4% use the Eircode. Has Mr. Divilly any sense from An Post as to whether the use of the code has been a success or what benefits or otherwise it has brought?

Mr. Dermot Divilly:
The Deputy probably knows a lot about this matter having been a Minister for communications. He will know that it was very much the Department and Capita that ran the initiative. At this moment in time there is certainly co-operation by An Post because that was requested and I would think that they are working towards same. The Deputy will know that the scheme was set up around the post office deliveries. The scheme is not that relevant to An Post at the moment because of the small number of people using the code.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
As I recall, there was a hope that savings would be made but then that was disputed. Originally, An Post said the scheme would cost An Post.

Mr. Dermot Divilly:
If usage increased it would help sequencing on the roadways and that kind of thing. At the moment the volumes are so small that it is not that relevant. It is an infrastructural project. I know from experience that such projects have a slow start but over time it will work out fine.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Does Mr. Divilly think there is a concern in FMCG, from his experience of running many businesses, that the numbers are not memorable. The number connects to post office sorting offices rather than counties and have four random numbers. Therefore, the numbers are so random that people will never be able to remember them.

Mr. Dermot Divilly:
I was not around when that was being done so I shall leave that question.

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Does Deputy Bríd Smith have any questions? No. I wish to ask a question on Eircodes. Has Eircode made An Post's business any easier? Mr. Divilly has stated that the sorting centres are very efficient and effective.

Mr. Dermot Divilly:
Technology has surpassed Eircode and allows addresses to be read. As Deputy Ryan has said, less than 5% of people use their Eircode number. Usage of Eircode is slowly growing.
People's experience is that it is an investment for the future and it will take time.

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
I thank Mr. Divilly for coming here this evening for a worthwhile debate. On behalf of the select committee, I wish him well. His experience in business makes him very well qualified for his role, especially at such a critical time for An Post. I propose that we forward the transcript of today's discussion to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources for his information and consideration.