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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Jun 1992

Vol. 420 No. 6

Written Answers. - Office of Consumer Affairs.

Peter Barry

Question:

47 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make arrangements to open branches of the Office of Consumer Affairs in various population centres throughout the country.

I wish to point out that no proposals regarding the re-opening of regional offices have been received in my Department from the Director of Consumer Affairs.

Until July, 1989 there were two regional branches of the Director's Office operating in Cork and Galway, each staffed by one Inspector. However, a decision was taken by the predecessor of the current Director, who is independent in the performance of his functions, to transfer the regional Inspectors to headquarters in Dublin. This decision was taken in the interests of operational efficiency and optimum deployment of resources. The decision was also influenced by the fact that the Director considered the operation of regional offices, in the circumstances which prevailed at that time, to be limited in their effectiveness.
If the Director eventually puts forward proposals for the re-opening of regional offices the matter will be considered as sympathetically as possible, taking due account of prevailing budgetary constraints.
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