Michael P. Kitt
Question:196 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the areas of his Department that use answering machines; the savings involved in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8742/98]
Written Answers. - Departmental Technology.
Answering machines are used principally by certain Missions abroad to facilitate an out of office hours service. In addition the telephony systems at headquarters and at some Missions provide voice mail facilities to staff. While the answering facilities in question enhance the Department's administrative capabilities, savings arising are not readily quantifiable.
Emmet Stagg
Question:197 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has a free telephone number, 1890, for the convenience of the public; and, if so, the action, if any, taken to bring this service to public notice. [8721/98]
The Department has no free telephone number available to the public. The Department will be included in the second phase of the introduction of 1890 (LoCall) numbers which provide access for the public to Government Departments and Offices at local call rates from anywhere in the country. The second phase is expected to commence in early May 1998.