Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2013
435. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any office dealing with veterinary, livestock or agricultural and environment structures, AES, which takes telephone calls from farmers, will be retained west of the Shannon; if it is or will be possible to speak to an officer of his Department face-to-face at such offices. [44262/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently in the process of centralising the administrative support for its 16 Regional Offices in two ‘back office’ locations – one in Portlaoise and the other in Cavan. The centralising of administrative procedures will enable my Department to reduce the number of administrative staff required to support District Veterinary Office operations and, accordingly, the cost of providing its services.
These new arrangements will not have any adverse effect on the services provided to farmers. When fully rolled out, telephone queries to any of my Department’s 16 Regional Offices will be dealt with by administrative staff based in Portlaoise or Cavan. Veterinary, inspectorate and technical staff will continue to operate from their current regional office locations and are available to meet with farmers as heretofore.
