asked the Minister for the Public Service if he will give details of the cost of the advertising campaign being conducted by his Department; if he accepts that the average cost of a telephone call from Galway to most Government Departments is £3 because of the waiting period involved; if he accepts that people in the provinces would not get the service indicated on the advertisements, unless they are prepared to travel to Dublin or endure higher telephone costs; and if he will outline his proposals for making Government Departments more accessible, to people in rural Ireland.
Written Answers. - Advertising Campaign.
463.
The cost of the present advertising campaign being conducted by my Department is approximately £50,000.
Essentially, the objective of the campaign is to highlight for the public the recent changes introduced by the Government which require all staff to identify themselves when dealing with the public either on the phone, in correspondence or face to face in public offices, irrespective of location.
My Department in collaboration with other Departments will continue their efforts to improve the service to the public. An interdepartmental committee chaired by an officer of my Department are identifying the areas where improvements are necessary and it is my intention, over time, to bring about these improvements.