Keeping customers satisfied
Minister of State Liam Aylward made the claim at the 176th Iverk Agricultural Show in Piltown, Co Kilkenny, yesterday.
He said the department administers over 250 schemes and services out of 70 public offices to over 140,000 farmers.
Total direct payments to farmers is €1.4 billion. These payments represent some 57% of farm incomes.
“We are strongly committed to providing an excellent service to our customers and we are continuing to develop an improved standard of service when and where we can,” he said.
Minister Aylward said farmers could now go to the new independent agricultural appeals office in Portlaoise to have department decisions reviewed.
The department also operates a formal complaint procedure for those who may be dissatisfied with the standard of service they receive.
“Customer panels have been set up, farmer surveys carried out and public information meetings held to inform and consult with farmers on service delivery issues.
“A survey on the suckler cow scheme last November gave the department an 80% satisfaction rating. We are now in the process of undertaking a survey on REPS,” he said.
