Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
778. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if lo-call and local numbers could be displayed for all Departments and local authorities to provide persons with an option to choose the most economical telephone number based on their current telephone provider and phone packages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37059/13]
View answerThe issue of the use and display of lo-call and other contact numbers in Government Departments is an operational matter for individual Departments themselves and my Department has no overall remit in this regard. My Department provides details on its website, in publications and correspondence on the means by which the Department may be contacted, for the information of all, so that they may choose the one most suited to their needs.
My Department uses both 1890 lo-call number and a 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.
Those who have an entitlement to free national calls can of course ring the main Department number for free.
