Speaking at the November Plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council, Independent Councillor Donal Barry, has claimed that people in Waterford have to travel to Dublin or Cork to meet an Revenue official in person. 

He said this unacceptable as many vulnerable people need an in-person service close to home. 

“The Revenue office in Waterford previously operated with reduced opening hours to the public, offering access through a telephone service. However during the COVID the office closed fully and never re-opened,” Cllr. Barry said. 

“Recently Revenue issued about 77,000 letters to old age pensioners around the country, it caused considerable worry and distress to many, and then the property tax letters were issued. 

“The service currently available to the people of Waterford is not suitable to many particularly in our elderly population, there are often long delays on phone lines and the alternative is not suitable for those with no computer skills. 

“If a person from Waterford wished to meet with Revenue officials in person they now must make an appointment to travel to Dublin or Cork. This is completely unacceptable. Many elderly, ill or frail individuals are unable to make such journeys,” he added. 

Cllr. Barry has called on the Council to contact the Secretary General and seek that the Revenue office on the Glen in Waterford City be reopened. 

“It is unreasonable to expect vulnerable people to travel long distances for essential tax or pension matters. I think Revenue should urgently restore an in-person service in Waterford,” Cllr. Barry concluded. 

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme