asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, having regard to the importance of the town, he will give favourable consideration to the question of establishing an employment exchange at Naas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment Exchange for Naas.
For many years there has been a local office of my Department at Droichead Nua which has served that centre, as well as Naas, which is distant only about seven miles. The expense of maintaining a local office at both centres would not be justified, and the additional work involved by the proximity of the Turf Development Board's operations in recent years makes Droichead Nua the more suitable centre. Should the situation change, the needs of the Naas area would of course receive consideration.
I should perhaps add that steps are being taken to fill the position of branch manager at Droichead Nua which has been vacant for some time. Because of the nature of the premises at that centre I have decided to vacate them and to have the work of the office administered from Dublin as a temporary measure pending the selection of a new branch manager.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say when it is likely that the exchange activities will be returned to Newbridge from Dublin?
As soon as the branch manager is appointed and suitable premises are obtained.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say if he has any particular premises in mind, as very serious inconvenience is occasioned to local people by having the unemployment insurance legislation applicable in the area administered from Dublin? Serious travelling inconvenience is thereby caused.
As I have said, the work in the office will be carried out from headquarters and it is not anticipated that there will be any difficulty or inconvenience caused. Part of the conditions of appointment of the new branch manager will be that he will have to obtain suitable premises. The vacancy will be advertised in the course of the next week.
May I point out to the Parliamentary Secretary that, where a person secures insurable employment and was not previously in insurable employment, he is required to go personally to the employment exchange for a card? If the exchange is in Newbridge, he can get it without delay, or if he is in Naas he may go there and get the card in a relatively short period, but if he is offered employment in the morning and has to travel to Dublin to get the card, he may lose a few days' work in that week. Can some arrangements not be made whereby a difficulty of that kind will be obviated, in the interests of those likely to get employment of that character?
It is not anticipated that any such difficulty as that referred to by Deputy Norton will arise. Similar arrangements have been made elsewhere in the country and there have not been any complaints of that nature.