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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2020

Wednesday, 20 May 2020

Ceisteanna (1199)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

1199. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department will change the Covid-19 contact number to a freephone 1800 number (details supplied). [5640/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Income Support Helpline referred to by the Deputy was established in March 2020 to provide customer information and support in relation to a range of income supports for people affected by the income impacts or health impacts of COVID-19.  This includes the new Pandemic Unemployment Payment, Enhanced Illness Benefit for Covid19, other relevant income supports and advice including referrals to the Department's Community Welfare Services.

The relevant phone number for this service is a 1890 number - 1890 800 024. Since November 2019, as a result of changes introduced by COMREG, calls to any 1890 numbers now cost no more than calls to a landline number.  Furthermore, all existing 1850, 1890 and 076 numbers will migrate to a single non geographic "0818" number in January 2022.

Calls to 1890 numbers are now included in mobile call bundles where customers have packages or subscriptions which include landline calls. 

Customers can also contact their local Intreo centre with any income support or payment queries that they may have and the Department provides a detailed list of contact numbers for each scheme area and Intreo centre on our Department pages on Gov.ie.

Each Intreo centre also has contact email addresses that customers can use as an alternative way to contact the Department.  Customers can make general information enquiries by contacting info@welfare.ie.

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