COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 09, 2020

QUESTION NO. 15

QUESTION: Councillor Eoin Ó Broin

Numerous Dictionary's define a customer as being someone who buys goods or services. To ask the chief executive what is the basis for referring to those who ring South Dublin County Council or call to its front desk as customers? Should those engaging with SDCC not be referred to as citizens rather than customers?

REPLY:

South Dublin County Council's Customer Care Centres were established in 2005 and the organisation has over 15 years experience in delivering measurable quality customer service to our public. Putting People First, the local government reform programme set out in 2012, and Our Public Service 2020, which is the public sector reform programme, places improving customer service at the heart of the reform programme. The majority of our customers are paying for council services either through taxation, rents, rates or other charges. The reference to customers is used when members of the public come into direct contact with the council to avail of our services. The term citizens is used in reference to the residents of South Dublin County, particularly in relation to our citizen engagement efforts, but South Dublin County Council also interacts with and provides services to all residents of the county, whether citizens of the state or not.