Released on: January 4, 2008, 5:04 am

Press Release Author: Mark Dunphy/Dunphy Public Relations

Industry: Consumer Services

Press Release Summary: Limerick, 4th January 2008 - Members of the public are being
offered the opportunity to have their say in how Limerick County Council can further
improve its customer service.

Press Release Body: Customer Service Review on the Cards For Limerick County Council

Limerick, 4th January 2008 - Members of the public are being offered the opportunity
to have their say in how Limerick County Council can further improve its customer
service.

The Local Authority has produced a \'Comment Card System\', as one of three newly
developed Quality Customer Service Initiatives.

\"The initiatives, which also include a customer complaints procedure and customer
charter, are aimed at delivering high quality services that meet the needs of all
Local Authority customers\", stated Ms. Josephine Cotter Coughlan, Director of
Services.

\"The delivery of high quality services, tailored to meet the needs of all our
customers, is one of Limerick County Council\'s core objectives and is included in
our Corporate Plan 2004-09. This quality service includes not only the level and
quality of service given to our customers, but also the quality of our
decision-making processes, the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations,
standard of our facilities and our ability to adapt in an ever-changing
environment\", she stated.

Ms. Cotter Coughlan explained that Limerick County Council is frequently the first
point of contact for the public in assessing public services.

She added, \"It is critical, therefore, that the Council deals with its customers in
accordance with the principles of courtesy, fairness, openness and transparency. In
such an environment, customers should have the opportunity to say when service
standards are not being met or when they have not been treated with courtesy and
fairness. A responsive culture, which quickly resolves difficulties, can lead to a
better way of conducting business and can also assist in the improvement of
services.\"

Limerick County Council anticipates that the \'Customer Charter\' will be reviewed
annually in conjunction with the annual review of the Local Authority\'s Corporate
Plan. Any feedback/comments/views received through the new \'Comment Card System\'
initiative will be an essential element of this review.

The Local Authority has also confirmed that it intends conducting regular internal
reviews to assess the effectiveness and level of compliance with the customer
responsiveness standards set out in the Charter.

Ms. Cotter Coughlan said that the provision of quality customer service is a
touchstone of the local government modernisation programme.

\"Limerick County Council is asking all customers for their input into how we conduct
our daily business and what changes, if any, should be made to our customer service.
This process is part of our overall objective to successfully fulfill and exceed
our customers\' needs and expectations\", she concluded.

Limerick County Council\'s customers are any individual, business or community to
whom Limerick County Council provides a service. The Council\'s customers also
include the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, statutory
bodies and other groups with whom it deals as a local authority.

The newly developed Quality Customer Service Initiatives have been drafted in
accordance with guidelines issued by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and
Local Government in 2003 and a Report by Fitzpatrick Associates on the Evaluation of
Customer Charters (June 2007).

Limerick County Council\'s \'Quality Customer Service Initiatives\' may be downloaded
from www.lcc.ie. Copies are also available at County Hall, Dooradoyle and at all
Local Area Offices.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
A Limerick County Council spokesperson is available for interview and further
comment. To arrange please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on
086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com

Web Site: http://www.dunphypr.com

Contact Details: Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (Mobile)
00353-656839692 (Fax)