Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 300: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her Department has a strategy to reduce the level of printed correspondence, communications, reports and other documents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12782/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has in recent times, developed a number of key initiatives that provide for a significant reduction in the level of correspondence, communications, reports generated both internally and in dealing with its clients.

My Department has in recent years provided extensive internet facilities providing both information and transaction based services resulting in improved customer service, increased efficiency and improved controls with the consequent reduction in administrative costs.

The majority of these initiatives are based on moving interactions with our customers to online services accessed through my Department's website, www.agriculture.gov.ie.

The range of schemes available online are extensive, covering direct payments under include areas as diverse as the Single Payment Scheme, animal traceability, forestry grants and premiums together with data relating to fishery catches.

My Department also has in place an extensive wide area network connecting over 200 locations countrywide where the Department has a presence. All staff have access to email and the Department's intranet which facilitate extensive use of electronic based communications. Email and SMS messaging are also used to communicate with the Department's customers and partners in the farming, fisheries and agri-food sectors which reduces significantly printing volumes on a day to day basis. Additionally, all reports published by my Department are available, free of charge, to the public from our website.