Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Decisions regarding the reorganisation of my Department's local office structure were taken almost two years ago following an extensive review undertaken within the Department. The closure of the District Veterinary Office in Portlaoise represents the final phases of implementation of that review.

Paramount to restructuring the local office network was concern to ensure a high quality service to farmers and food business operators throughout the country. The new structure not only maintains a high quality service but in fact, will enhance the level of service available, while at the same time driving greater efficiencies and encouraging broader flexibilities within the new Regional Office structure. Through the greater use of modern technology, the simplification of schemes and programmes, the reduction in disease levels, the uptake and availability of on-line services and the improved telephone service as a result of electronic systems, quite apart from the reduction in office footfall, the Department's public interface with its clients can now be carried out in any one of the sixteen new Regional Offices.

The financial savings from the reorganisation of the local offices are very significant and for 2011 the reduction in running costs amounts to some €20 million and the reduction of over 250 staff. For 2012 the reduction in running costs are expected to be some €30 million with an overall reduction from the programme of over 400 staff. In the case of the new Regional Office in Naas, no additional accommodation is being rented by my Department.