Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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57. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he or his Department have engaged with communications and telecom providers regarding the increase in the amount of scam calls persons have been receiving; if so, if solutions have been proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42310/21]

Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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The telecommunications market is regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, including in relation to operational issues such as detecting or monitoring scam calls. 

While I understand that it is not possible to identify scam call numbers in advance, which can resemble normal, familiar geographical or international numbers encountered on a daily basis, the Regulator has published information for consumers in relation to this issue www.comreg.ie/consumer-information/mobile-phone/scam-calls-2/).

This provides advice urging vigilance at all times on the part of consumers and listing suggestions for the proactive steps to be taken by those receiving scam calls, and in particular, advising people not to answer or to call back any number which they do not recognise or where there is a bland or no voicemail left.  

The notice also provides a phone number for consumers to contact and the Regulator also offers a text call back service and other facilities to assist consumers. In the meantime, ComReg continues to monitor the situation closely. 

In addition,  the Investigation of scam calls from a criminal perspective is a matter for an Garda Síochána.  I understand that AGS has also raised public awareness to warn phone users on the need to remain continually alert with respect to calls and text messages