Vol. 458 No. 5
36 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the measures, if any, being taken to improve customer service and operational efficiency at the Companies Registration Office; and the plans, if any, he has to turn the office into a fully autonomous agency outside the structures of the Civil Service. [17251/95]
The following further measures are being taken to improve customer service and operational efficiency at the Companies Registration Office: In line with an IT plan recently approved in principle, improvements to the CRO computer systems are being implemented, involving further significant investment over the coming years. Improvements are being made in working methods under a business process re-engineering project. A search for new accommodation for the CRO in Dublin is currently in progress following a decision announced by the Minister of State at the Department of Finance in his reply to a question on 10 October, 1995 (cf. Official Report Vol. 456, No. 6, Col. 1483-1484). The new premises should, inter alia, permit the creation of a more customer friendly public office. Additional staff approved by Government will be appointed in the near future. I am also setting up a users council which will provide a forum to formalise dialogue between the CRO and its various customers.
I am satisfied that the measures I have listed will result in significant improvements both in customer service and in the operational effectiveness and efficiency of the CRO.
With regard to the organisational status of the Companies Office I can confirm that, following careful consideration, there are no plans to turn it into a fully autonomous agency outside the structures of the Civil Service. However steps have been taken over the last year or so which, when combined with the measures I have listed earlier, will result in a more commercial and services oriented structure as recommended by the Culliton report. Reference was made to such developments by way of reply to questions on 8 February 1994 (Vol. 438, No. 4, Col. 848-852) and 23 February, 1994 (Vol. 439, No.3, Col. 520-521).
The CRO has worked very effectively in recent years with the resources at its disposal and I would like to take this opportunity of paying tribute to all the staff involved.
