Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 151: To ask the Taoiseach the official forms issued by his Department for use by the public and business which can be completed on-line; the forms which can not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32044/07]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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While my Department has a relatively low level of interaction with the general public and the business sector, we encourage feedback via our Customer Service Feedback form. This is available on the Department of the Taoiseach website — www.taoiseach.gov.ie. This facility offers customers an on-line option for submitting:

Business queries;

Website suggestions;

Customer complaints; and

Other queries.

Once received by the Department's webmaster emailing service, the query is forwarded to the relevant Division for appropriate action.

Similarly, customers who wish to make on-line contact with my Department in Irish can do so using the 'Gaeilge' mailbox that is also available on the website.

There is a facility on the Department's website whereby a Freedom of Information application can be completed and submitted on-line. Freedom of Information applications can also be made to my Department by written/postal request.

The Information Society Policy Unit (ISPU), on behalf of my Department, manages the Access, Skills and Content (ASC) Initiative. The ASC Initiative has provided funding for community and voluntary groups and not-for-profit organisations. The application form for this funding initiative can be downloaded from the Department of the Taoiseach website and can also be obtained directly from the ISPU office. The form cannot currently be completed on-line, as the relatively low level of use of this scheme is considered to be insufficient to justify the expense of providing a full on-line facility.

Suppliers of goods and services to my Department are required to complete an official form that facilitates payments being made directly to their bank accounts via electronic fund transfer. Suppliers can have the form forwarded to them through either email, fax or post. Once completed, the form can be returned by email, fax or post. This form cannot be completed on-line as an original signature is required from each company when setting up an electronic fund transfer facility.