Vol. 524 No. 6
138 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has satisfied himself with the level of progress being achieved by his Department in customer service; if, in particular, his Department is meet ing the targets set down in the Protocol on Direct Payments to Farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23384/00]
My Department is committed to providing a quality customer service to all its clients. Direct income payments are of crucial importance to the income position of farmers. The aim of the Protocol on Direct Payments to Farmers, which was developed by my Department in conjunction with the farm organisations, is to ensure that, subject to regulatory constraints, the best possible service is provided to farmers. Feedback from customers at both representative and individual level has acknowledged a significant and sustained improvement in the quality of service in recent years.
The protocol is a further step in the drive by my Department to provide an efficient, responsive and user-friendly service to farmer clients. My Department is already meeting its payment commitments under the protocol with the commencement on Monday week last, 16 October, the earliest date allowed under the EU rules, of payment of the first instalment of special beef premium, suckler cow premium and the new slaughter premium, including entitlements under the national envelope provision. Over £104 million was paid to farmers at the beginning of last week. Payments will continue on an ongoing basis over the coming weeks and this commitment to the early payment dates is in line with the payment and delivery targets set out in the protocol.
In addition, my Department will soon commence a consultative process involving the widest possible number of its customers as part of its preparations for the updating of the customer service action plan. It is my intention to have a revised and improved action plan in place by the spring of next year.
