Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason Irish pre pay mobile phone customers are paying up to 42% more than the European average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41373/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I am aware of the recent OECD survey which reported that Ireland was more expensive than the EU average for pre pay mobile phone customers.

The OECD pre-paid basket includes at least two operators for each country, once they cover 50% of mobile subscriptions. In Ireland’s case only two operators are included. The methodology used takes the cheapest offer from these two companies and not the cheapest offer in the market. I am advised that there are currently an estimated 30 pre-paid mobile packages available to Irish consumers, some of which are cheaper and the assessment does not therefore reflect the actual range of pre pay offers available. In addition to the prepay option, mobile consumers can also avail of post paid options and it should be noted that Irish prices in this basket were below the EU average.

ComReg’s website Callcosts.ie, provides a useful source of information to consumers where they can compare prices of different operators. Consumers can input their usage requirements and see the cheapest available in the market based on their usage. I am also aware that ComReg has, in recent months, promoted the ease at which consumers can switch mobile operator and that there is no retail charge for consumers who wish to switch. Furthermore, the Digital Agenda for Europe scorecard reports that the number of days required to switch between operators in Ireland is among the lowest in the EU.