South Dublin County Council scoops Outstanding Customer Service Award at Chambers Ireland 10th Annual Excellence in Local Government Awards

Back to List

14/11/2013

Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.

South Dublin County Council scoops Outstanding Customer Service Award at Chambers Ireland 10th Annual Excellence in Local Government Awards

South Dublin County Council won for the second year in a row the Outstanding Customer Service Category at the Chambers Ireland 10th Annual Excellence in Local Government Awards. On this occasion the award was for the Council’s ‘Taking Steps to be a Literacy Friendly Authority Initiative’.

In accepting the award the Mayor of South Dublin County, Cllr. Dermot Looney commented “I am delighted that this initiative has been recognised with this prestigious award. South Dublin County Council is continually pushing the boundaries and identifying new ways to ensure that our services are inclusive for all our citizens. As a teacher I am very aware of the literacy and numeracy difficulties that many experience. These can impact on all aspects of their lives including the ease at which they access public services”

County Manager, Daniel McLoughlin added “I would like to acknowledge all those involved in the development and implementation of the Council’s Literacy Friendly Policy. The award recognises our ongoing commitment to customer service excellence. I would particularly like to thank the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) for their cooperation and support on this project.”

In addition three other projects from South Dublin County Council were commended for their continued provision of excellent services in the following categories:

Sustaining the Arts: TENDERFOOT

Innovation in Technology: Source Project

Supporting Active Communities: South Dublin Traveller Culture Schools Project

Note to Editor- Background Information

The ‘Taking Steps to be a Literacy Friendly Authority Initiative’ involved the development of a literacy audit throughout the organisation aimed to address the needs of both customers and staff. Through the development of specific action plans a number of changes have been implemented by South Dublin County Council with the aim of addressing the needs identified in the audit process.

These changes have included the following:

A review of the implementation of Council policy in relation to the use of simple and clear language in all forms and leaflets
All new Council forms and leaflets and public information are now plain English proofed
Literacy friendly policy is now embedded within the Council Customer Service Policy
The South Dublin County Council website www.sdcc.ie has been plain English proofed
A review has been carried out of the current office procedures manual for Customer Care staff who may deal with customers with literacy and numeracy difficulties
Review of the location and quality of signage throughout all Council buildings and facilities has taken place
A programme of staff training and development has being rolled out to increase awareness and staff capacity when providing services to people with literacy and numeracy difficulties
A commitment to collecting feedback from customers through written and verbal means, and
Supporting NALA to influence relevant Government Department and other Local Authorities

ENDS

Contact Us

For more information on any press-related matter please email communications@sdublincoco.ie or ph 01 4149285

Images

Chambers Ireland Logo
Cllr.Paddy Cosgrave, Sandra Hickey, Minister Phil Hogan T.D.,Mayor Dermot Looney, Maria Finn, Cllr Emer Higgins and Cllr. Mick Duff