Information and Communications Technology Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 March 2013

Thursday, 21 March 2013

Questions (175, 176, 177)

Sean Fleming

Question:

175. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government 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. [14483/13]

Sean Fleming

Question:

176. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has considered the use of, or implemented, integrated voice response systems in his Department's phone 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. [14499/13]

Sean Fleming

Question:

177. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has given any consideration to the use of telephony switchboard services that are shared with another Govlernment Department or another public body in order to reduce costs and increase call handling capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14514/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 to 177, inclusive, together.

My Department regularly review policies and procedures to reduce costs and achieve savings. My Department operates 1890 LoCall telephone numbers as well as standard geographic telephone numbers for access to its main offices. Where the 1890 LoCall number is advertised customers are informed that rates charged for calling the number may vary among different service providers. The 076 number has been introduced to provide telephone access to some of my Department’s smaller offices.

The implementation of an integrated voice response system on my Department’s phone systems was previously examined but was not deemed suitable to meet the business demands of my Department, which can involve a high level of interaction with the public in determining the most appropriate means for dealing with individual queries. There is currently an arrangement in place between my Department and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for the shared use of telephony switchboard services.