Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 420: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if his Department operates any number utilising the lo-call designation, 1890; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that use of this number can impose additional costs on mobile phone users; if he will ensure that where such numbers are advertised in the press, online or in literature that this additional cost is noted, and that a standard geographic phone number is also given; if this is not currently done, if he will ensure that this will be done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41240/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department currently operates a number of services using the Lo-Call Designation 1890. Lo-Call 1890 options are available to customers wishing to contact my Department's main Switchboard number, wishing to contact various high demand call flow areas within the Department, such as the Quality Customer Services area or wishing to contact operator services to the Call Centre services operated by my Department (including Employment Permits; Employment Rights Information Service; etc). In addition, the eight Offices of my Department also offer their services with Lo-Call options.

My Department is fully aware that these services can impose additional charges to customers, depending on the different mobile phone service providers used by customers and my Department makes every effort to advise customers of these charges where such numbers are advertised in the press, online or in literature. The Department's full page advertisement in the State Directory section of the Annual Eircom phone directory (Green Pages) specifically states:- "Note that the rates charged for the use of the 1890 (Lo-Call) numbers may vary among different service providers". In addition, the Department's website specifically states at six different sites:- "Note that the rate charged for the use of 1890 (Lo-Call) numbers may vary among different service providers".

A standard geographic phone number as well as dedicated e-mail service facilities are also offered to customers of my Department, in order to ensure that customers are provided with a range of cost effective options in contacting the Department. These options are also made available to customers who wish to contact the Offices of my Department.