I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 to 194, inclusive, together.
The Department's ICT Shared Service which provides services to the Department and numerous agencies in the Justice sector is currently scoping the possible provision and implementation of unified communications, including IP telephony across the Department and related agencies. The intention is to drive additional organisational business efficiencies and flexibilities, remove the need to purchase additional hardware and expertise in the day to day running of our telephony systems and avoid unnecessary investment and maintenance in older technologies. This will reduce both deployment and administration costs and provide additional efficiencies and cost savings into the future. In order to achieve these goals the existing communications infrastructure of the Irish Prison Service, which has sufficient call handling capacity to service the needs of my Department, is being utilised thereby leveraging existing assets and investment in the Justice sector.
The ongoing implementation and roll-out of new technologies in the Justice sector under the auspices of the ICT Shared Services will facilitate the adoption of integrated voice response systems where required as well as numerous other features and services. This strategy is specifically intended to facilitate the consolidation of existing switchboard and related services along the lines raised by the Deputy but the ultimate benefits will be far broader as the strategy will enable the consolidation and integration of existing diverse services. My Department has also gone to tender for the provision of telephonist and receptionist services for it and some of its agencies. The procurement process is still ongoing and should result in further cost savings.
I can inform the Deputy that my Department has introduced an 076 number for the new Insolvency Service of Ireland rather than an 1890 number. My Department will work with agencies on its ICT Shared Service who have existing 1890 numbers with a view to implementing a phased transition to 076 numbers. The strategy of leveraging and further developing investment in ICT is intended to drive internal business efficiencies, including cost savings, facilitate a better service to the public and allow my Department and related agencies to take full advantage of the possibilities afforded by newer technologies.
