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Governance

Customer Services

If you wish to make some suggestions for improvement as regards our services, please contact us directly at info@wdc.ie We welcome all feedback and will deal with your suggestions in a timely and confidential manner.

Complaints

We hope that we have been able to resolve your complaint satisfactorily. However, if you remain unhappy with our response then you can refer your complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman is fair, independent, and free to use.

The Ombudsman will ask you for details of your complaint and a copy of this letter/email (our final response to your complaint). The best way to contact the Ombudsman is by:

  • Clicking on the ‘Make A Complaint’ link at www.ombudsman.ie
  • Or writing to: Office of the Ombudsman, 6 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 W773
  • Or calling the Ombudsman on 01 636 5600 if you have any queries or if you need help making your complaint.

Customer Service Action Plan 2019-2024 – Download here

Customer Charter 2019-2024 – Download here

Protected Disclosures Annual Report

The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 aims to protect people who raise concerns about possible wrongdoing in the workplace.

The Act, which came into effect on 15 July 2014, is often called the whistle-blower legislation. It provides for redress for employees who are dismissed or otherwise penalised for having reported possible wrongdoing in the workplace.

As set out in Statutory Instrument 339 of 2014 Protected Disclosures Act 2014 (Section 7(2)) Order 2014 the Western Development Commission (WDC) is prescribed to be recipients of disclosures of relevant wrongdoings.

The full WDC Protected Disclosures/Whistleblowing Policy Document can be downloaded HERE.

The Protected Disclosures/Whistleblowing Form can be downloaded HERE.

The WDC can confirm that no Protected Disclosures were made to the WDC between the period January 2021 and 31 December 2021.

The WDC can confirm that no Protected Disclosures were made to the WDC between the period 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2022.

The WDC can confirm that no Protected Disclosures were made to the WDC between the period 1st January 2023 to 31st December 2023.

 

Environmental Policy Statement for Dillon House

The WDC is situated in Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen which is a listed building owned by Roscommon County Council.  The WDC is a Statutory Body under the ageis of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.  The WDC was set up to promote the Social and Economic Development of the Western.  Counties under the remit of the WDC include, Clare, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo.

We understand that everyone is entitled to enjoy a clean, healthy environment whether at home or at work.  We place a high emphasis on the provision of clear accessible information to our customers, suppliers and stakeholders to increase environmental awareness and to implement changes where necessary to improve sustainable consumption and production practices.

This Policy Statement has been developed in respect of the WDC Offices in Dillon House and in line with requirements from the Minister of the Environment, Community and Local Government under the European Communities (Access to Information on Environment) regulations 2007 – 2014.

The WDC is committed to providing a quality service in a manner that ensures a safe and healthy workplace for our employees and minimise our potential impact on the environment in line with this Environmental Policy Statement.

The WDC is committed to:

  • Improving the environmental performance of our in-house practices and policies taking account of customer’s needs and requirements
  • Reviewing and reporting at regular intervals on progress being made
  • Establishing targets and objectives to improve environmental performance in the following areas:
    • Implementing strategies to increase the efficient use of energy, water, supplies and office equipment
    • Reducing  waste through re-use and recycling and by purchasing recycled, recyclable or  re-furbished produces and materials where these alternatives are available, economical and suitable
    • Introducing  a ‘car pooling’ facility when traveling to external meetings/events
    • Introducing the ‘Cycle to work’ Scheme
    • Introduction of ‘e-working’ facilities in order to reduce car emissions as well as reducing light and heat costs in the workplace
  • Continue to drive energy consumption down in Dillon House through:
    • Installation of a new and upgraded heating  control system in 2014
    • Installation of energy efficient lighting bulbs in 2010
    • Carrying out an Energy Audit in 2009 and adhering to the recommendations  therein – putting  in place window seals,  inserting chimney balloons and completing attic insulation in order to conserve heat
    • Ensuring equipment has power saving functions e.g.  PC’s, Printer, Photocopiers and also duplex features are available on Printers and Photocopiers
    • Implementing a programme of waste reduction through recyclying facilities i.e. collection, segrations, re-use, recycling, storage and safe disposal of all waste to include litter, toner cartridge, electrical equipment and used batteries
    • Liaising with Roscommon County Council regarding the environmental maintenance of Dillon House building, grounds and all related facilities

This Environmental Policy Statement is circulated to all staff. This Statement is subject to review every three years.

The AIE officer for the WDC is Caroline Coffey, Corporate Services Executive carolinecoffey@wdc.ie.

Download “How to make an AIE Request” in PDF format here – link in folder to file

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The Western Development Commission (WDC) is obliged to comply with the Data Protection Act, 1988 and the Data Protections (Amendment) Act 2003.   The following Guidelines and Procedures outlines the WDC’s commitment to protect the rights and privacy of individuals in accordance with these Acts.

Download the WDC’s GDPR Guidelines

Public Sector Information (PSI)

Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005 (SI 279 of 2005)

The Western Development Commission (WDC) complies with the Regulations on the Re-use of Public Sector Information and we encourage the re-use of the information that we produce.

All of the information featured on our website is the copyright of the WDC unless otherwise indicated. You may re-use the information on this website free of charge in any format subject to the latest PSI licence available at the Re-Use of Public Sector Information Portal: www.psi.gov.ie

Material provided by any third party, including links to other websites from this site, is likely to be copyright of the author.  Permission to copy or use any such material must be obtained from the author.

Re-use includes copying, issuing copies to the public, publishing, broadcasting and translating into other languages. It also covers non-commercial research and study.

Re-use is subject to the following conditions. You must:

  • acknowledge the source and our copyright in cases where you supply the information to others
  • reproduce the information accurately
  • not use the information in a misleading way
  • not use the information for the principal purpose of advertising or promoting a particular product or service
  • not use the information for or in support of illegal, immoral, fraudulent, or dishonest purposes or in a manner which would imply endorsement by the WDC
  • You must not reproduce any crest, logo or mark of the State, a Government Department or a body governed by public law, except where such crest, logo, or mark forms an integral part of the document being reused
  • The WDC is not liable for any loss or liability associated with the re-use of information and does not certify that the information is up-to-date or error free. The WDC does not authorise any user to have exclusive rights to re-use of its information.

Code of Conduct

This Code sets out the ethical principles which Members of the Board, Advisory Committees, Management and Staff of WDC have agreed and confirmed through existing Human Resource and Organisational policies, procedures and practices.

Where necessary, it is supplemented with additional policies and procedures to fulfill the requirements of the Code of Ethics for State Bodies.

The Code of Conduct adopted by WDC seeks to

  • Outline the agreed set of ethical principles that will govern our behaviour;
  • Promote and maintain confidence and trust; and prevent the development or acceptance of unethical practices.

Download the WDC’s Code of Conduct