Written answers

Thursday, 21 March 2013

Department of Defence

Information and Communications Technology Issues

Photo of Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made within his Department on phasing out the use of LoCall 1890 numbers that can be extremely expensive when dialled from mobile phones and introducing 076 number, which generally included in tariff bundles provided by most mobile network operators and are charged at the same rate as national calls, in view of the fact that the number of mobile phones exceed the number of landlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14481/13]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Department introduced two 0760 numbers in June 2012, one for the Department and one for the Office of Emergency Planning. The usage of the lo-call numbers is being monitored with a view to moving fully to the 076 numbers at the appropriate time.

Photo of Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Defence if he has considered the use of, or implemented, integrated voice response systems in his Department's phone systems or in the phone systems of agencies within his remit; if the staff and salary cost savings which might arise have been assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14497/13]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Given the nature of the business of the Department of Defence, integrated voice response systems are not considered to offer improved functionality for customers or the Department at this time. The introduction of new phone system features is assessed on an ongoing basis with consideration being given to the benefits, including cost savings, which would accrue.

Photo of Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Defence if his Department has given any consideration to the use of telephony switchboard services that are shared with another Govlernment Department or another public body in order to reduce costs and increase call handling capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14512/13]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Defence already provides a shared switchboard service for the Defence Organisation locations countrywide. The relocation in 2010 of the Department’s Dublin-based staff to Newbridge, Co. Kildare, under the Decentralisation Programme, resulted in a cost saving initiative concerning the switchboard facilities, with an annual saving of some €65k.

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