Vol. 483 No. 4
43 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs whether it is his intention to open his Department's offices on a Saturday; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20560/97]
Social Welfare local offices are generally open to the public on weekdays from 9.15 a.m. to 12.00 noon and from 2.00 p.m. to 4 p.m. In the interests of improving the level of services to customers the office in Kilbarrack, Dublin, has been open on a pilot basis during lunch time for some time. Based on the results, I intend extending this facility to other offices in the coming year.
I intend to make Social Welfare local offices more accessible to the public and to increase the number of hours they are open as part of the drive to improve customer service. In this regard I see lunch time opening as the priority where this is warranted.
With regard to opening of the offices on a six day rather than a five day a week basis there has been no significant level of demand for this and I am not convinced it would be justified having regard to the volume of business likely to be done and the associated extra costs. I will, however, keep this matter under review.
