Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2005
273 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if the vehicle registration office in Mullingar will continue to operate at its present location (details supplied); if it is not due to re-locate to Tullamore. [5015/05]
View answer274 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff employed at the Mullingar vehicle registration office; the grades held by these staff members. [5016/05]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 273 and 274 together.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that their office in Mullingar will continue to operate as a revenue office. However, following the successful introduction of on-line vehicle registration through the ROS, revenue on-line service, the demand for direct customer contact services at vehicle registration offices has declined substantially. In 2003, for example, 55% of new vehicles nationally were registered on-line. By January 2005, that percentage had risen to more than 86%.
The Revenue Commissioners have recently reviewed the implications of these changes in vehicle registration practices. As a result of their review, and having regard to the reduction in customer services demand at the vehicle registration office in Mullingar, they have decided to consolidate the provision of vehicle registration and associated services for counties Westmeath and Offaly at their office in Tullamore from March. I understand this decision has no implications for the continuance of a revenue office in Mullingar and that staff at the office will be assigned to other duties and will not be relocated.
This is in the context of a national review of the implications of a declining service demand for front-line VRO services which is leading to consolidation of service provision across the country. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that affected staff are being assigned to other duties and will not be involuntarily relocated.
There are four full-time staff, comprising two executive officers, one clerical officer and one service officer, assigned to the revenue office in Mullingar. Two of these staff are engaged in the provision of vehicle registration and other associated services, a third official is engaged on unrelated debt management duties and the fourth is assigned to excise control.
