Information and Communications Technology Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 March 2013

Thursday, 21 March 2013

Questions (155)

Sean Fleming

Question:

155. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made within his Department on phasing out the use of LoCall 1890 numbers that can be extremely expensive when dialled from mobile phones and introducing 076 number, which 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 phones exceed the number of landlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14480/13]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

My Department uses both 1890 lo-call number and national number for members of the public.

The use of a lo-call number affords considerable savings to people who do not have access to free national call services. In accordance with best practice there is an accompanying note on the Department’s website and in press notices or other literature advising that the rates charged for the use of the 1890 number may vary between service providers particularly mobile providers.

The Department is currently considering the possibility of adding the 076 contact number capability. The key factors in this consideration are how widespread the inclusion of these numbers is in tariff bundles on offer many of which carry free national calls.

Those who have an entitlement to free national calls can of course ring the main Department number for free.