Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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249. To ask the Minister for Finance the position in respect of the future of the Revenue Commissioners' public office in High Street in Tallaght in Dublin 24; his views on concerns expressed about its future; and his plans in this regard. [33133/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The deployment of resources to its compliance and customer service programmes is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. I am advised by Revenue that they offer a range of service channels which are adapted to meet the changing demands of taxpayers. Over the last number of years the provision of high quality self service, electronic and telephone service channels has resulted in reduced demand for 'walk in' counter services by taxpayers.

Between 2008 and 2014 there was a 61% reduction in 'walk in' callers to the Tallaght Revenue Information Office (TRIO). Having regard to the changing nature of the demand for service, the Revenue Commissioners introduced an appointments service in the TRIO in July of this year. A dedicated telephone line for the purposes of making appointments is operated Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 16:00 and appointments are facilitated in the TRIO Wednesday to Friday from 09:30 to 13:00. If, during the course of the initial telephone conversation, the Revenue official identifies a more efficient and cost effective means for the taxpayer to carry out their business they will advise and assist them in this regard. A taxpayer who elects to carry out their business through the appointments service is facilitated at a time and on a day which suits them.

Since its introduction the appointments service in TRIO received 2,667 phone calls up to the 22 September 2015. Of these only 223 (8%) taxpayers elected to make an appointment. 92% of callers had queries which were either dealt with immediately or handled via other service channels.

Revenue have advised me that the appointments service in the TRIO continues to be subject to ongoing close monitoring and review and taxpayers will continue to be provided with a flexible and responsive service commensurate with demand.