It is significant that this matter is being addressed in the House this evening given that before it reconvenes in September the new scale of telephone charges will be applied. I suggest that the Minister pause for a moment to consider the valuable work which is being done by voluntary organisations, its value to the community and the cost that would have to be borne by the State, that is the taxpayer, if voluntary organisations decided to cease operations as and from next September. In that event we would begin to wonder where we would find the money in the Estimates to provide an alternative service. These voluntary organisations give of their time, talents, skill and compassion to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves in society.
The one service that is of most help to many of these bodies in assisting troubled people of every age within the community is the telephone service. Even at the present rates, many of these organisations are being put to the pin of their collar to meet the charges. Many of them will cease to operate if the proposed rates are applied next September. To put it simply, they will not be able to meet the increase of 400 per cent.
I should like to give an example. Yesterday a voluntary group made a submission to a number of politicians in which they stated that the average "cry for help" call lasts 45 minutes. At current rates this call made locally costs 33.51 pence. If the proposed increases are applied this figure will increase to £1.42. On top of this, voluntary organisations have to pay VAT at a rate of 21 per cent, which tax cannot be reclaimed.
Something has to be done between now and September to exempt voluntary bodies. I do not have the answer but am calling on the Minister, and the Department, to find one. However, it does not lie in the provision of a free of subsidised service for a limited period because the benefit to be gained lies in the assistance that the listener can provide to the person with a troubled mind, be they young or old, at the other end of the telephone line. The provision of a reduced rate does not represent the solution either. Perhaps the solution lies in the provision of a free phone number to a large number of registered bodies.
The Minister's Department has an obligation to commence discussions immediately with voluntary organisations and Telecom Éireann to come up with a package before next September to enable these organisations to continue the good work they are doing for people with troubled minds, family problems and in distress. These people are being kept out of homes, hospitals and rivers by voluntary workers at the other end of the telephone line who show them compassion.
This is a serious problem and I appeal to the Minister to take action immediately to ensure that voluntary bodies which care deeply for the people they assist do not have this worry throughout the summer that they will be unable to provide a service from next autumn. I remind the Minister again that if the State was compelled to pick up the tab and provide an alternative service from own resources we would be faced with a large budget next January or whenever the Estimates are put together. The Minister should send a signal from the House to voluntary organisations, be they local or national, that it is the Department's intention to address the matter immediately to come up with a package to enable them continue the service next September.
