Electronic Communications Infrastructure.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2004

Wednesday, 11 February 2004

Questions (178, 179)

Denis Naughten

Question:

240 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the approval, if any, which ComReg required from his Department, including orders or regulations, to change area codes which came into effect in November 2003; when approval was sought and approved; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many personal alarms provided to the elderly are inoperable due to the recent change in phone numbers; the action taken by his Department or ComReg to address this issue prior to the changeover; if he will provide funds to community groups to have these alarms re-programmed, in view of the prohibitive cost facing many elderly people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4168/04]

Michael Ring

Question:

245 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if and when ComReg plans to change telephone numbering schemes; if his Department or ComReg will provide grants to elderly people who will have to re-programme their personal alarms as a result of the change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4342/04]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 245 together.

ComReg has sole responsibility for the overall management of the national numbering resource. No approval from the Department is sought, or is necessary, when ComReg initiates any changes and these are done only when absolutely necessary and after a considerable period of consultation. ComReg aims to implement any changes in a way that minimises disruption, cost and inconvenience for customers and service operators.

Any costs incurred directly or indirectly are traditionally carried by telephone subscribers in respect of their own numbers. Persons with particular difficulties should contact their service provider in the first instance, and also notify ComReg of difficulties created by any proposed changes.