asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware of the serious inconvenience caused to members of the public arising from the closing of the PAYE office in Dublin on Saturdays; and if he will arrange that it be reopened, particularly in the months of February, March and April on each Saturday to facilitate wage and salary earners who are unable to call at other times without loss of earnings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Opening of Dublin PAYE Office.
6.
Since the five-day week was introduced in the offices of Inspectors of Taxes in July, 1964, the Revenue Commissioners have received no complaints from members of the public.
While I recognise that the operation of a five-day week in any sphere of activity inevitably involves some degree of upset to certain members of the public, I do not consider that there is sufficient justification in present circumstances for the re-opening of the income tax offices in O'Connell Street as suggested by the Deputy.
Every effort, I should add, has been made to simplify tax forms so as to obviate any necessity for personal calls to the tax offices.
Is it not a fact that at this time of the year literally thousands of workers go into the PAYE office to have their tax allowances adjusted, that the Minister has published statistics of the numbers who called last year, indicating that they ran into very extensive numbers indeed? In the interest of national productivity would the Minister not keep the office open on Saturday morning for a few hours so as to ensure there will be no interruption of people's work? It is only for March and April.
The Revenue Commissioners do not think there would be any general demand for facilities of this kind and they have had no complaint whatever from the general public.
How many people called into the office on Saturdays last year to have their cases personally attended to?
We could not give that figure. The offices are not open on Saturdays now.