asked the Minister for Finance whether it is intended to enlarge the staff of the central tax offices to provide a satisfactory service for the tax-paying public.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Staff of Central Tax Offices.
14.
Mr. O'Leary
The staff of the central tax offices is augmented from time to time to cope with the increasing number of taxpayers and to provide a satisfactory service for members of the public. The Revenue Commissioners have been encountering recruitment difficulties in certain grades but they have already taken action to recruit temporary staff to fill their current clerical vacancies.
It will be appreciated that, in any organisation, rush periods place a heavy strain on staffing resources and that in such circumstances some delay and congestion are unavoidable.
Mr. O'Leary
The Minister is aware that the staff side claim that a lot of their difficulties with the public arise from the fact that they cannot see them in private to discuss problems like PAYE and that the facilities are not there. The Minister may have seen the speech of the President of the Tax Officers Association in regard to this.
I saw the speech and I presume that speech gave rise to the Deputy's question.
Mr. O'Leary
There is nothing wrong with that.
I am not blaming the Deputy.
Mr. O'Leary
I do not know whether the Minister has any tax difficulties, but if the Minister goes to see these officers——
I do not even get a chance to discuss it; it is taken from me.
Mr. O'Leary
——he will realise there is a good case to be made.
I propose to have a look at them as soon as pressure eases off in the House.
Mr. O'Leary
I can suggest a way of improving the grade recruitment in regard to some of the shortages to which the Minister referred.