John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 489: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the proposals she has to ensure that representations made by Members of the Oireachtas on behalf of members of the public to her Department are responded to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26900/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Normally when representations are received from members of the Oireachtas on behalf of members of the public, they are forwarded to the appropriate section of my Department, with responsibility for the relevant scheme and/or policy area, for the preparation of a response. This work is normally undertaken by CPSU grades but due to the current industrial action, by members of that union, representations made by members of the Oireachtas are not presently being processed in this manner.

However, as the Deputy will be aware, there is a long standing arrangement in my Department where all Oireachtas members are provided with the names and contact details of two designated officials from my Department who deal with representations and it is open to any Oireachtas member to contact these officials directly on behalf of members of the public. These officials will then undertake to prepare a response as quickly as possible depending on the circumstances of the case.