asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that persons making claims at the Cork City Labour Exchange experience delays of from two to three hours, and, if so, whether, in the interests of such persons and of the staff concerned, he will have the staffing arrangements examined with a view to obviating such delays.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Labour Exchange.
I have had the position in Cork Employment Exchange examined and I am satisfied that persons making claims there do not experience delays of from two to three hours. If, however, the Deputy will furnish me with full particulars of any case in which it is alleged that such delay has occurred, I will have it fully investigated and any remedial action shown to be necessary taken immediately.
The staffing position in Cork Employment Exchange, as in all employment exchanges, is under constant review and I am satisfied that the number of staff there is adequate to deal with the public expeditiously without undue strain on the staff.
Is the Minister aware that the allegations contained in this question and in previous questions of mine can be readily substantiated and confirmed if the Minister wishes to send an inspector of his Department to Cork Labour Exchange any day of the week? I am quite prepared to discharge my duties and bring specific cases to the notice of the Minister, but I feel that the onus should not be thrown on an ordinary Deputy when the Minister has at his disposal officers who can go to Cork any day of the week and find out the facts for themselves. I would suggest that such an inspector should go down unannounced and incognito.
When the Deputy raised this question on the last occasion I undertook to have the matter investigated. The investigation disclosed that there are no delays of two and three hours in relation to persons who are making first claims for unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance. The Deputy now states he can give me specific cases and, if he does that, I will undertake to have the matter investigated to the extent of having an inspector visit the exchange.