Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs

18.07.08 Ó Cuív reaffirms his Department’s commitment to customers: Launch of the Customer Service Action Plan 2008 - 2010

The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív, T.D., today reaffirmed his Department’s commitment to providing, maintaining and improving its service delivery to all its customers at the launch of his Department’s Customer Service Action Plan 2008 – 2010 in Na Forbacha, Co. Galway. 

Speaking at the launch of the Action Plan, Minister Ó Cuív said, “Delivering a high standard of service to all our customers and stakeholders is a key priority for my Department. In my remit as Minister, I have had the opportunity to speak to individuals and groups around the country, and to ask them how they feel we might improve the services we provide.  We have taken all suggestions on board, and this Customer Service Action Plan sets out the standards of service our customers can expect in their dealings with us and also outlines the plans that my Department has in this regard over the coming years.  Our main priority is the provision of front-line services to those who most need them.”

Key actions planned by the Department include:

• maintaining up-to-date and accessible information on its bi-lingual website;
• advancing the incremental provision of on-line services to customers, including the development and roll out of facilities for on-line applications;
• reviewing schemes operated by the Department to ensure simplification and transparency of rules, regulations and procedures;
• reviewing application forms, explanatory leaflets/guidelines and application procedures generally with a view to simplification and streamlining;
• developing and rolling out a range of downloadable application forms together with information on all services provided by the Department; and
• continuing to co-operate with other Departments to improve co-ordination on service delivery at national and local levels.

 “ I am delighted to be launching this Action Plan here in the Na Forbacha offices, where my Department interacts with a large number of its customers,” added Minister Ó Cuív. “The Plan reaffirms my Department’s commitment to all its customers.  It is a very useful guide to all the programmes operated by my Department and an information directory for the communities and customers that we serve.”

Copies of the Customer Service Action Plan can be accessed on the Department’s website at www.pobail.ie, or alternatively a copy of the document can be requested from the Corporate Governance Division of the Department  (Tel: 01 6473147).