HOLIDAY makers, business travellers and students working abroad usually have plenty of cause to call home when abroad, whether to check up on the house (full of teenagers), to check in with the office or family or to call home for more money. Telecom Eireann's new service, the Ireland Direct prepaid calling card facilitates those holidaymakers who feel the urge to keep in touch with home.

The card, which comes in denominations of £5 and £10 is the size of a plastic credit card, and can be used from any telephone or pay phone (but not a telephone operated by a pay card) so long as you are in any of the 20 countries with direct dialling code access to Ireland.

You need to dial what seems like a million different numbers well, 34 to be exact if you call Ireland from the USA for example but once your call is completed the voice prompt will then tell you how much cash value is left on your card.

A five minute call from the USA using the Ireland Direct will cost £5.46 as opposed to £10.47 from a payphone a 10 minute call from Britain to Ireland using the new card is £4.89 as opposed to £7.50 from a payphone.

The cards are being sold directly from all Telecentres, Aer Rianta Duty Free shops and travel agents.