Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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159. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he or his Department has given consideration to the implementation here of a simple three digit 24/7 non-emergency contact for every citizen to interact with Government, semi-State, public bodies and organisations, charitable/voluntary and support services, that will assist callers in dealing with health, educational, civic, local government, social problems and so on; if he or his Department has examined the way this successfully operates in places such as the USA and Canada; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41556/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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My Department has no overall function regarding the implementation of the proposal referred to in the Question. It is a matter for each Government Department and public body to ensure that appropriate information is available to the public in relation to the services provided by them and to determine the manner in which such information is provided.

With regard to local government, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to establish a website to assist residents in reporting problems with street lighting, drainage, graffiti, waste collection and road and path maintenance in their neighbourhoods, with a guarantee that local officials will respond within two working days. In this context, the FixYourStreet.ie website has been accessible in all local authority areas since 1 January 2013. The provision and overall maintenance of the website by South Dublin County Council allows the public a more direct role in safeguarding and maintaining their local communities and brings simplicity, efficiency and speed to how local authorities deliver improved services to citizens living in their areas.

An important benefit of the approach is the effective use of modern technologies, social networking, web-based collaboration, mobile apps and GIS in an interactive manner with the public and extending the use of low cost web-based solutions such as FixYourStreet.ie will enable local authorities remain at the forefront of service delivery and help deliver an important element of the Government's eGovernment programme.