Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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1418. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the guidelines in place to ensure persons are made aware that lo-call 1890 numbers may be more expensive to call from a mobile than landlines; his plans to ensure persons calling State offices are aware of this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37429/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The matter raised in the Question is a customer service issue for each individual public body including Government Departments.  The use and display of telephone numbers is an area in which I have no statutory function. The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) manages and administers the National Numbering Scheme which lists all numbers and codes that are available for use on public telecommunications networks. ComReg, which is independent in the exercise of its functions, has established a variety of access code types, in accordance with international norms, including:

- geographic numbering where charges are incurred by the caller at a local or national rate;

- 1850 numbers which share the costs between the caller and the service provider at a fixed rate when called from a fixed line number, and

- 1890 numbers which share the costs between the caller and the service provider having regard to the duration of the call when called from a fixed line number.

I understand that ComReg has recently launched a public consultation in relation to non-geographic numbers with a view to increasing transparency on the pricing of calls on these lines.

I welcome this significant initiative by ComReg which will be of benefit to all consumers.  It will also strengthen the Regulator’s role in consumer protection. It represents a useful opportunity for the public and all stakeholders to engage with ComReg on its proposals that will enhance transparency on pricing and streamline number ranges to improve services for users.  I would encourage people to participate and contribute in the consultation process and make their views known.  The consultation documents and relevant documentation together with an infographic, research findings and proposals are all available on ComReg’s website at . The consultation period will run until 12 October 2017.

While I cannot compel public bodies including Government Departments and offices to use or display any particular telephone access codes in preference to alternative codes available, I would draw the Deputy's attention to arrangements in my Department which operates an 1890 lo-call option for users contacting my Department from fixed line numbers and a standard 01-6782000 access code which allows mobile phone users to contact my Department at the standard rate charged by their service provider or within their bundled minutes package. Other Government Departments offering a lo-call number also offer a standard phone number which can be accessed both from within and outside Ireland and which may be less expensive for mobile users to use.