Written answers
Wednesday, 13 January 2016
Department of Finance
Revenue Commissioners Resources
Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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199. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of the opening hours in the Revenue Commissioners office in Tralee in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46679/15]
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. Having regard to the changing nature of the demand for service, Revenue introduced an appointments service in its Tralee Office last November. A dedicated telephone line for the purposes of making appointments is operated Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and appointments are facilitated on a basis agreed with the taxpayer in each instance. 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, the taxpayer will be advised and assisted in this regard.
The appointments service was flagged in advance on the Revenue website and with public notices around the county from early November. Despite this, where a taxpayer was unaware of the new appointments service and travelled a long distance to the Office the person was facilitated with an immediate appointment.
Revenue has advised me that the appointments service in Tralee Office is subject to ongoing close monitoring and review. Taxpayers will continue to be provided with a flexible and responsive service to meet demand.
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