Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 622: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the services and facilities available to persons with a hearing disability who wish to telephone his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10957/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is committed to providing ease of access to its services for all customers including those with a hearing disability. A facility for persons with a hearing disability, who wish to telephone my Department, is in operation on a trial basis in the Disability Allowance section since October 2006. This facility can be used to communicate directly with customers with compatible equipment using a standard telephone line. It allows the caller to type in a message that is then transmitted to the receiver's display screen, with messages being relayed back in the same manner. This service will be monitored and if successful will be made available in due course in other offices.

For customers with hearing difficulties who call to my Department's Local Offices, there is a loop system in place in some four such offices. This will be installed in all new offices and other offices as the facilities are upgraded. In addition, a sign language interpreter is also provided if requested by the customer.