Industry Consultation – Review of the Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS) provision

The aim of this consultation is to gather stakeholder feedback on the provision of the Emergency Call Answering Service specifically in relation to the operation of the current contract and technological developments.

Sections 58A – 58H of the Communications Regulation (Amendment) Act 2007 (the “2007 Act”) provides for the establishment of the ECAS and associated matters.

The ECAS is responsible for answering all emergency communications. Emergency communication is defined in the S.I. No. 444/2022 as communication by means of interpersonal communications services between an end-user and the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) with the goal to request and receive emergency relief from emergency services. The role of ECAS is to establish which Emergency Service is being requested and the location of where the Emergency Services are required to attend for the purpose of routing the call to the most appropriate Emergency Services Control centre.

The current ECAS contract will expire on 24 November 2025, the Department is preparing for the public procurement and appointment of an operator to operate the ECAS. In this context, the Department is now conducting a consultation on a number of key matters, including the operation of the current contract and technological developments, which will assist the Department in ensuring the continuing effective functioning of the ECAS from November 2025 onwards.

Responses will assist the Department in developing its plans to enhance the quality, reliability and functionality of the ECAS, with this insight being applied for the benefit of members of the public, the emergency response services and the telecommunications industry.

A prior information notice (PIN) was published on 31 January, details can be found here.

The Department held an online information session with interested parties on 21 March 2024 from 2pm until 3pm.

The slides can be found below:

In advance of the commencement of the proposed procurement process and to support the completion of this consultation the Department intends to hold an online information session with interested parties on 21 March 2024 from 2pm until 3pm.

Interested parties wishing to avail of the proposed information session should express an interest by emailing ECASconsultation@DECC.gov.ie in order to receive an invitation.

The closing date for submissions is 5.30pm 4 April 2024.

Late submissions will not be considered.

It is requested that you complete your response using the template provided.

Submissions should be sent by email to ECASconsultation@DECC.gov.ie or by post to:

Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

Industry Consultation – Review of the ECAS provision

Digital Innovation and Eircode Division

Elm House,

Earlsvale Road,

Cavan,

H12 A8H7

We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. We will consider all submissions and feedback before we publish the final versions of the [Policy Document/Scheme].

Your response to this consultation is subject to:

• the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI)
• the Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007-2018 (AIE)
• the Data Protection Act 2018

Publishing of responses

We intend to publish the contents of all submissions received to our consultations on our website. We will redact (remove) personal data before publication.

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