Vol. 463 No. 6
259 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will consider making a freephone service available to the general public who require to make contact with his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6964/96]
As outlined in the charter of rights for farmers my Department's telephone system is being upgraded to enable farmers, who telephone their local office inquiring about services or payments under schemes operated elsewhere in my Department, to be transferred on my Department's network to the appropriate location to pursue their inquiry. This facility will enable farmers to obtain information on all aspects of their business with my Department at the cost of a local office call.
While I have established a freephone service for a limited period covering this year's area aid applications I do not have any plans, at present, to extend this service.
