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Ryan Announces Postcode Plan for 2011
Dublin, September 21st - 2009: Minister for Communications, Eamon Ryan, announced that the Government has approved the introduction of a new postal code system for Ireland.
The design of the post code system would be implemented by a winning tender, the Department of Communications announced. It is expected that post codes will be assigned and in use in early 2011.
Announcing the move, Minister Ryan said, 'A postal code system represents an excellent investment for any modern country and is essential for the development of the digital economy. I look forward to working on its swift implementation over the next 15 months.'
A report from PA Consulting has put the monetary benefits of postcodes to the State at €22 million in the medium term. It is widely acknowledged, however, that most of the benefits of such a type of system cannot be accurately gauged in monetary terms.
According to the Department, 'A postal code system throughout the country will bring a number of benefits including faster and more accurate postal delivery. This will benefit householders and business and save money for the State as a major postal customer.'
Early indications are that the final postal code system will be based on an alpha-numeric design, making the codes easily identifiable and recognisable.
Previous government plans to implement a postcode system in 2008 did not materialise. However, EU rules on deregulation require that Ireland implement an effective postcode system to allow external operators to compete in this country.
Discussing the benefits derived from having a postal code system based on geographic coordinates, The National Statistic Board (in its document 'The Statistical and Policy Value of Post Codes') stated that: 'Significant value is added to data when it can be spatially mapped. A point-based postcode system that uses grid reference/GPS technology would provide a relatively clear-cut approach to allocating a postcode to an address.... a geo-coordinates approach would permit an early introduction of postcodes at a relatively low cost. It would also avoid the very difficult task of trying to group households together into small area clusters that are meaningful both to policy-makers and for postal delivery.'
About GAMMA
GAMMA is a solutions provider that integrates software, data and services to help our clients realise greater benefits from location-based information. Established in Dublin, Ireland in 1993, the company has expanded to become a global provider of information systems, micro-marketing solutions and geographical analysis service.