Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 March 2013
108. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered the use of, or implemented, integrated voice response systems in his Department's telephone systems or in the phone systems of agencies within his remit; if the staff and salary cost savings which might arise have been assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14498/13]
View answer109. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has given any consideration to the use of telephony switchboard services that are shared with another Department or public body in order to reduce costs and increase call handling capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14513/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 109 together.
For the Deputy's information, a new VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) telephony system was procured for my Department in 2012. The project involved the roll out of the new system across the three main locations of the Department (ie Athlone, Dublin and Tullamore offices) and has greatly reduced telephony expenditure. During 2013, further work will be undertaken with regard to the deployment of VoIP to my Department's local offices. Further enhancements are being considered in this context, including the piloting of an Interactive Voice Response System in a selected number of units within my Department during 2013/2014.
As part of implementation of the Government's Public Service Reform Plan, my Department will develop a Shared Services Plan for the Education and Training sector and a range of issues may be considered including the potential to share telephony switchboard services with Government Departments or other public bodies.
