Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport 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. [14491/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department introduced an 076 number in March 2012 replacing one of the two 1890 Lo-Call numbers. This 076 number is published on my Department's Website and State Directory pages. Callers can use this number to contact my Department's three core buildings in Dublin. There are technical issues in phasing out the second 1890 Lo-Call number, which is used for the Driver and Vehicle Computer Services Division (DVCSD) in Shannon and is integrated with an interactive voice response system.  This system manages all public telephone enquiries to the office in Shannon and it is located outside the Government Networks. The 076 numbers can only be deployed in a site which has access to Government Networks. The interactive voice response system in place in the DVCSD will be reviewed and may be changed, subject to a resolution of the technical issues and satisfaction as to its cost effectiveness. 

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport 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. [14507/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department introduced an integrated voice response system in the Driver and Vehicle Computer Services Division (DVCSD) in Shannon.  The system was introduced to improve the quality of customer service rather than as a cost saving measure. The system facilitates improved telephone call management and  provides an enhanced customer service.

The implementation of such measures for agencies under the remit of this Department is a matter to be dealt with directly by them. I have forwarded  a copy of your Question to them for a direct reply. If you have not heard from the agencies within ten working days please contact my private office.

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport 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. [14519/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has a shared telephony switchboard arrangement with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in its Killarney office.

There are currently no plans to introduce similar systems with other Departments, but this is kept under regular review.