14 December 2004
REVIEW OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION BULLETIN HIGHLIGHTS EXPERIENCES OF PUBLIC SERVICES
A survey of people’s experiences of public services in Northern Ireland has revealed that almost all of the respondents did not have any problems in using or getting information about public services.
The Review of Public Administration publishes the findings today in a research bulletin. The bulletin is based on information from the Northern Ireland Omnibus Survey, in which more than 1,200 people were interviewed about their views of public services here.
The key findings of the survey are:
- 90% of respondents had not had any difficulties in using or getting information about public services in the past year;
- Of those who had experienced difficulties, the main services cited were social services (18 %), health services (16 %) and road cleaning (15 %);
- The main problems experienced were not being able to reach the right person (36 %), problems in telephoning services (14 %) and difficulties in travelling to an appointment (9 %);
- Respondents said the main ways of making public services easier to access, were providing better information (32 %), being able to talk to the right person straight away (24 %) and making forms easier to fill in (15 %);
- Respondents felt that older people (43 %) people with disabilities (31 %) and people from different racial groups (8 %), were those most likely to experience particular difficulties in using and getting information about public services;
- Respondents felt that social services (17 %) health services (17 %) and housing (10 %), were the services which should be delivered through a local office.
The research bulletin is published on the Review of Public Administration website www.rpani.gov.uk
Additional copies of the bulletin can be obtained by contacting Tony O’Brien on 028 90277603 or email: tony.o’brien@rpani.gov.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The bulletin is based on information obtained from the Northern Ireland Omnibus Survey, which was conducted in May and June 2004, by the Central Survey Unit of the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). A total of 1,279 people were surveyed.
- The Review of Public Administration team commissioned a series of questions, to be included in this Survey, on the public’s views and experiences of public services in Northern Ireland.
- For media enquiries, contact Aine Gaughran on 028 9027 7606.
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