Vol. 471 No. 6
135 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will give details of his Department's proposals to open a series of information offices, one stop shops, where the agricultural community can receive information regarding all EU and Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry schemes. [21383/96]
Since my appointment as Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, one of my priorities has been to improve the quality of services my Department provides to farmers. The launch of the Charter of Rights for Farmers in April 1995 was a clear expression of that commitment.
In each of my Department's main local offices, information is available on all schemes operated through our veterinary, livestock and farm development services. These are the schemes of primary interest to the farming community. One of the commitments in the Charter of Rights for Farmers was that an information desk staffed by specifically trained staff would be established at each main local office through which individuals could receive information on all schemes operated by the Department. The necessary accommodation and telephone improvements to effect this are being carried out and work on an integrated computer facility is well advanced. Due to industrial relations difficulties with the main clerical union, the CPSU, the deployment of specifically trained staff has not proceeded as planned. These difficulties are being addressed in the context of restructuring discussions taking place between the Department of Finance and the union. Every effort is being made to resolve the matter to allow the introduction of this facility.
