asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that owing to the continual increasing unemployment the present employment exchanges in Dublin are inadequate;and, if so, if he will recommend improvements in the present buildings and the provision of extra exchanges.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Employment Exchanges.
I am satisfied that the Dublin employment exchanges are adequate in normal times. The present pressure is temporary and is mainly due to work arising out of the implementation of the Social Welfare Act, 1952, which became fully operative on the 5th January, 1953. Seasonal unemployment is responsible for some of the cause of complaint.
Certain improvements in the women's exchange, Victoria Street, are at present being made.
Arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, is he aware that many unemployed men and women in the Crumlin, Drimnagh and Kimmage areas have to travel to the Werburgh Street Employment Exchange to report there and sign on and that this causes quite a heavy hardship on them, particularly having regard to the increased bus fares? Would the Parliamentary Secretary consider either providing a local employment exchange in these areas or making some arrangement for the transport of unemployed persons from these areas to the employment exchange? Furthermore, is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the St. Vincent de Paul Conference for these areas has requested that special facilities in this regard be made available?
I am well aware that people in the rural areas have to cycle eight or ten miles and walk three or four miles to the exchange.
Further arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply——
Question No. 55. We have not a third of the questions dealt with yet.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to raise this question on the Adjournment.