Public perceptions of civil service efficiency, independence, trust and equality have all improved in the last two years, according to the results of the latest civil service customer service satisfaction survey.

Overall customer satisfaction with service delivery and outcomes are the highest since records began in 1997, with 85% and 82% of service users reporting satisfaction with the service and outcome respectively.

Almost 90% said service levels met or exceeded their expectations, while dissatisfaction dropped to 20%, the lowest level since the onslaught of the economic crisis in 2009.

Fórsa’s head of civil service, Derek Mullen, said the results contradicted the claims of widespread public service failure often voiced in media and political circles.

“I for one am not surprised that, when asked, the vast majority of civil service users express satisfaction with their experience of the services our members provide. I look forward to reading reports of the survey results in the national press,” he said.