Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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210. To ask the Minister for Finance when offices of the Revenue Commissioners will reopen to members of the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48891/21]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Revenue has confirmed that the timelines around reopening offices and facilitating public access is kept under continuous review and will be considered further in line with the dates announced by Government for the easing of restrictions. In considering the most appropriate time to reopen offices, Revenue will continue to focus on customer and staff safety as its highest priority and as was the case for most of its public offices before the pandemic, will re-open on an appointment only basis where all such meetings will fully observe the necessary social distancing protocols.

Throughout the pandemic, Revenue has continued to provide a full range of online services for taxpayers to manage their tax affairs, which for the most part remove any requirement to access public offices. These services, which include an online communications channel through the MyEnquiries system, are available 24/7, are easy to use and are fully secure.

For taxpayers who, for a variety of reasons, may not have access to the online services, Revenue is providing extensive support across its various telephone helplines and is operating a full service for queries being received through the postal system. Further details regarding the different telephone helplines is available on the Revenue website (via the contact us page), which may be of assistance to the Deputy. For the more complex matters that require one to one engagement, taxpayers can avail of virtual appointments with the relevant Revenue official through video-conferencing facilities.

Finally, if the Deputy is aware of a specific taxpayer that requires assistance, he should provide the details through the Oireachtas Helpline telephone number and Revenue will make direct contact.