John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for Finance if the customs official based at Killybegs in County Donegal has been replaced; if not, when this position will be filled. [30731/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, as part of a review of small offices, Revenue has assessed the need for full-time attendance at Killybegs, taking into account the level of demand for Revenue services at that location and modern service delivery channels. It was found that the level of demand did not warrant full-time attendance. Accordingly, the official who had been based in Killybegs until his recent retirement is not being replaced at that location.

Revenue officials met with Killybegs-based traders to discuss how the work could be re-organised to meet their service requirements. It has been agreed that service will be available to traders from the Revenue office in Donegal Town, which is only 25 kilometres from Killybegs. A much larger pool of staff is available at Donegal Town to ensure continuity and consistency of service and to deliver a broader range of customer services from that location. Full contact details, including contact names, telephone and fax numbers and e-mail addresses, have been given to the traders. Where necessary, an officer from Donegal Town can attend at Killybegs by appointment if physical presence is needed for any particular transaction. The level of service provided, as well as the methods of service delivery, will be kept under review.

The Revenue Anti-Evasion Teams will continue to cover Killybegs Port as part of their ongoing patrols, while the Customs Cutter patrols the coastline. The attendance of these enforcement personnel is selective and targeted and is based on analysis and evaluation of national and international seizure trends, traffic frequency, routes and other risk indicators. Attendance can also be as a result of specific intelligence. Patrols of the ports are kept under constant review to take account of available intelligence and emerging smuggling trends.