Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention had been drawn to the fact that Eircom will only accept payments through the An Post of a minimum of €20 even when the payee is in credit with their account, or if their balance is less than €20; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that this presents for persons on low incomes or dependent on social welfare, and if he intends to address this matter. [30090/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulatory issues surrounding billing by operators, is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) in accordance with its functions under the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended.

I understand from ComReg that Eircom introduced a minimum €20 payment for transactions using the over-the-counter service in October 2010. Eircom pointed out that it will continue to offer its customers facilities to pay bills by agreed instalments at levels below the minimum €20 payment imposed on the over-the-counter service. The alternative payment options include the Household Budget scheme and Postpoint service operated by An Post, the Payzone and Paypoint services operated by various service providers across the country, payments using Bank of Ireland and AIB ATMs, payments by electronic means and that it has notified these alternatives to its customers.