Information and Communications Technology Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 March 2013

Thursday, 21 March 2013

Questions (107)

Sean Fleming

Question:

107. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made within his Department on phasing out the use of locall 1890 numbers that can be extremely expensive when dialled from mobile telephones and introducing 076 numbers, which are generally included in tariff bundles provided by most mobile network operators and are charged at the same rate as national calls, in view of the fact that the number of mobile telephones exceed the number of landlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14482/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department does not operate LoCall 1890 numbers.

Last year, my Department replaced an ageing telephone system, with a Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephony system, in its three main offices in Dublin, Athlone and Tullamore. It is planned to rollout VoIP to all regional and local offices later this year. Once this is fully implemented, consideration will then be given to the introduction of 0761 numbers, in an effort to reduce call charges for members of the public.