Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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129. To ask the Taoiseach the reason Departments are using 1890 numbers as their contact numbers in view of the fact that this is the most expensive number to ring, particularly from a mobile telephone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39940/18]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The LoCall 1890 Number was originally intended to offer reduced call costs to the caller through an arrangement where the cost of the call was shared between the caller and the service provider. This remains the case for many calls originating from landlines.

A LoCall 1890 phone number is one element of a wider suite of contact channels, including a geographic phone number, email, social media and fax channels provided by my Department for those who may wish to avail of it. It is not the primary contact number for my Department. This is made clear on my Department's website, through my Department's various entries in publicly available telephone directories, and through Internet search engines.

Where the LoCall number is published on my Department's website, it includes a note advising potential callers that the rates for this service may vary amongst service providers.

My Department is aware of the consultation undertaken by the Commission for Communications Regulation in relation to LoCall numbers which was published in July 2018 and which includes a draft decision to withdraw some of these LoCall numbers over time. I have asked my Department to review its usage of the LoCall number with a view to withdrawing it.