[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 32 (Thursday, February 15, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 10564]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-3863]



[[Page 10564]]

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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-NEW-IRIS]


Proposed Information Collection Activity: New Collection

AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment 
on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are 
required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each 
proposed collection of information, including each new collection, and 
allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice 
solicits comments on the information needed to automatically direct an 
electronic inquiry to the appropriate office for action.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before April 16, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Ann W. Bickoff, Veterans Health Administration (193B1), Department of 
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-
mail comments to: [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB 
Control No. 2900-NEW-IRIS'' in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann W. Bickoff at (202) 273-8310 or 
FAX (202) 273-9381.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Public Law 104-13; 44 
U.S.C., 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of 
information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being 
made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, VHA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VHA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.
    Title: Inquiry Routing and Information System (IRIS).
    OMB Control Number: 2900-NEW-IRIS.
    Type of Review: New collection.
    Abstract: The World Wide Web is a powerful media for the delivery 
of information and services to veterans, dependents, and active duty 
personnel worldwide. The proposed Inquiry Routing and Information 
System (IRIS) would allow a VA customer to be able to submit their 
questions at any time and receive answers more quickly than through 
standard mail. Because the system is automated, inquires would be 
directed to the appropriate individual/office automatically. The 
contact information being solicited will be used to identify the 
particular veteran. VA personnel will use the contact information to 
determine the location of a specific veteran's file, and to accomplish 
the action requested by the correspondent such as process a benefit 
claim or file material in the individual's claims folder.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 2,000 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 10 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 12,000.

    Dated: January 23, 2001.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Donald L. Neilson,
Director, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 01-3863 Filed 2-14-01; 8:45 am]
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