Citizens Information Service calls increase

There has been 75% increase in the number of calls to the Citizens Information Service in the past year.

The group's website received 80% more queries in 2004, most of which were social welfare-related.

Spokesperson for the group, Tony McQuinn, said there were a number of reasons for the increase.

"Partly I suppose it's due to greater awareness of the services. It's probably also due to greater availability of the services and I suppose people are finding their information increasing as we live ever more complex lives."