DVO will not close in Galway TD states

FEARS expressed last week by the IFA on the transfer of the administration section of the Galway DVO (District Veterinary Office) out of the county, have been countered this week by a Galway Government TD.

Galway East Fine Gael TD, Paul Connaughton, said this week that while some staff were being ‘moved to an office in the same building as the DVO, the Galway DVO office still remained open to the public and was open to people to ‘call in’.

“I sought and received assurances on this matter from Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney. Because of increased investment in IT (information technology) and changes to the TB eradication programme, the number of staff required to deliver the service nationwide has reduced.

“Surplus staff are being redeployed, including some to the same building as the DVO in Renmore. This redeployment is ongoing on a phased basis.

“I have also spoken to the staff that are being redeployed about their concerns and have sought assurances from the Department of Agriculture in relation to their movement out of that Department.’

“The Department of Agriculture is committed to maintaining a regional office in Galway. The changes in administrative staff will not negatively impact on services for customers.

“Department veterinary inspectors, technical officers and a small number of administrative staff will remain in place, frontline services will be fully maintained and public access for all of the Departments stakeholders will continue to be available,” said Deputy Connaughton.