Departmental Communications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 7 September 2018

Friday, 7 September 2018

Ceisteanna (28)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

28. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the positions in his Department and the organisations under its aegis that have arrangements in place for lo-call numbers or 1800, 1850 and 1890 telephone numbers for members of the public to contact his Department or organisations under its aegis; the number of these that are completely free to call for persons who use mobile telephones and may incur major bills phoning such organisations; if the situation will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36396/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

The Department of Defence and the organisations under its aegis have no 1800, 1850 or phone numbers that are completely free to call. We have four 1890 numbers – two for contacting the Department’s offices, one for contacting the Office of Emergency Planning and one for contacting the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces.

The 1890 numbers are listed on the contact pages of the Department’s websites.  For each of the 1890 numbers there are also national landline numbers listed alongside the 1890 numbers.  This allows members of the public to choose their preferred method of contacting the Department.  The costs of calling 1890 or national landline numbers will vary depending on the landline or mobile phone provider. 

Having regard to the nature of the Department’s business, I am satisfied that the option to use an 1890 number or a national landline number provides members of the public with an appropriate means to contact the Department and the organisations under its aegis.  The situation is not currently under review.