€10m investment in new, improved service
Minister Ryan appoints BT Ireland
to operate Ireland's emergency call answering service
Dublin, 18th May 2009
Communications Minister Eamon Ryan TD today announced that he has awarded a contract to BT Ireland, to provide the 999/112 emergency call answering service in Ireland. The contract, awarded following a public procurement process, will see BT Ireland operate the service for the next five years.
With €10m investment, one hundred new jobs will be created in call centres at three locations around the country - Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Navan, Co. Meath and East Point Business Park in Dublin.
"Each year in Ireland, around five million emergency calls are made. Such a volume of calls requires the best possible call answering service. The people ofIreland must be confident that, in an emergency situation, their communication is being handled quickly and effectively," said Minister Ryan.
"I am confident that, using the latest advances in technology, the new provider will completely modernise the way this service operates and improve it beyond measure."
Changes that will occur include:
- Automatic location-identification - a person in an emergency situation who is unable to state their location for any reason will be located automatically using GPS technology. The information will not have to be requested from mobile phone operators.
- Improved accuracy and speed - details of caller's address and phone number will flash immediately on the screen ofthe call operator, allowing for the faster processing of the call.
- Improvement to the service for members of the deaf community - the Department of Communications, BT Ireland and ComReg will engage with representatives ofthe deaf community as to the provision ofthe best and most appropriate service for deaf people or those with a hearing impairment.
"We were able to draw on all our experience from operating similar service in the UK and Northern Ireland, to match the service design and operational criteria set out by the Department in the tender specification," said Chris Clark, CEO, BT. "We are very proud to have been selected for such an important service. It is further evidence of how much value our customers place on BT's global expertise and financial stability."
Minister Ryan acknowledged the excellent work ofthe Gardaf, Ambulance, Fire and Coastguard services, and pointed out that fast and efficient call-processing is crucial to the overall operation ofthe emergency services.
He also thanked previous service provider, Eircom, and said, "While our emergency call answering service has been operating very reliably for the last number of years, there are a number of changes that can, and must be made. New technology must be applied in the operation ofthis critical service.
We cannot afford to lag in this area and I have every confidence that BT Ireland will deliver the most effective service for the years to come."
ENDS
DeafHear.ie Chief Executive; Niall Keane welcomes the move and is looking forward to action on the matter at last.
For further information, contact the Press Office at
016782442
press.office@dcenr.gov.ie
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, 29-31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2, Ireland
Tel +353-1-6782000 Fax +353-1-6782449
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