Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 291: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost to the Exchequer, if any, from the operation of 1890 telephone numbers and if he will explain how the system works. [34362/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The cost to the Exchequer from the operation of 1890 telephone numbers by Government Departments and other public sector organisations is a matter for the Department or organisation in question.

The costs incurred on this service by my Department in the 12 month period from September 2009 to August 2010 were €370.24.

My Department uses both a lo-call number and local number for members of the public. These numbers are published on the Department's website. The use of a lo-call number is appropriate for persons who do not have access to free national call services and it affords considerable savings to such persons and is, considered to be best practice in terms of customer communications. Persons who have an entitlement to free national calls can of course ring the main Department number for free.

The operation of the lo-call system is a matter for the service provider concerned and not one in which I have a function. However, the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg) has information on its website www.comreg.ie regarding the system: Document Number 08/02 of 2 January 2008 –'National Numbering Conventions' and Document Number 10/60 of 4 August 2010 –'Sixth Review of National Numbering Conventions'