asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of a go-slow in the income tax office in Cork and of a refusal by tax inspectors to meet and advise taxpayers; if he is further aware that this protest is a result of working conditions and bad accommodation; and the steps he proposes to take to rectify the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Income Tax office Protest.
13.
I understand that the staff of the tax office in Cork are taking a form of industrial action in protest against the present accommodation. Personal callers or telephone inquiries are not being dealt with and the business of the office is being conducted by correspondence only.
There has been an accommodation problem in the Cork office for some years as a consequence of the increase in staffing. Every effort is being made to alleviate the problem by securing additional suitable accommodation and it is proposed that ultimately staff will be housed in new Government buildings for Cork for which tenders have been received and are being considered.
Has the go-ahead been given for this building?
My information is that tenders have been received and that they are being considered.
Will the Minister agree that it will be at least three years before the buildings can be occupied?
No.
Everybody knows that it will take three years, at least, to complete such building.
I can assure the Deputy that it will not take three years.
What will happen in these overcrowded buildings in the meantime? How are the public, who have the right of access to this information, to be satisfied?
The Revenue Commissioners have been trying to find alternative extra accommodation for some time on a temporary basis. Hopefully, they will be able to do that.
When will that be? How does the Minister propose to facilitate the public in the meantime?
On the basis that temporary accommodation will be made available in the meantime to be followed by the provision of permanent accommodation.
Is the Minister aware of the serious hardship being caused to taxpayers and those who have received tax bills because they cannot consult with the inspectors of taxes in relation to those demands? Is the Minister aware that the people in that area believe no effort was made to provide accommodation, that there was a go-slow or a dragging of feet by his Department in relation to that matter?
I do not accept that. What I have said already indicates that there has not been a dragging of feet. We are making temporary and permanent arrangements which is as much as we can be expected to do. I regret the inconvenience to the public in this area and I have to acknowledge it is not exactly ideal for those working in the office.
When was the Minister made aware of the conditions and the complaints by the officials?
When I was personally aware is one matter but I should like to assure the Deputy that the Revenue Commissioners have been aware of the problem for some time.
Will the Minister tell the House the date on which this matter was brought to his attention?
Frankly, when a question relating to this matter was tabled it came to my attention.
The Minister was not aware of the problem until the question was tabled even though some of his officials were on strike?
I am calling on Deputy Fitzpatrick for a final supplementary. We cannot have a debate on this matter.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister aware that similar inadequate accommodation exists throughout the country for the staff and the public?
I do not accept that.
The Minister is leaving a sorry mess behind him.