asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the position wherein recipients of unemployment benefit at the exchanges at Northumberland House, Victoria Street, Gardiner Street and Werburgh Street as a result of shortage of accommodation must queue in the open street while awaiting payment; and whether any extension of existing accommodation is contemplated to avoid this.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Accommodation in Dublin Employment Exchanges.
38.
Mr. O'Leary
I am not aware that it is necessary for recipients of unemployment benefit to queue in the open street while awaiting payment during the hours when the offices are open at three of the four exchanges mentioned by the Deputy, namely, those at Northumberland House, Gardiner Street and Werburgh Street. In fact I am quite satisfied that the accommodation at those exchanges is more than adequate in present circumstances. It is a fact, however, that some people come to these exchanges in the morning and afternoon before they are open to the public and wait outside until they are open. There is no necessity for this but if people choose to do so I think the Deputy will agree that the provision of extra accommodation is not going to solve the problem.
With regard to the fourth exchange, that at Victoria Street, accommodation is somewhat restricted there and some years ago my Department had a covered passage built outside so that when a large number of people attended together at that office they would not have to stand in the open. Generally, however, the accommodation at that exchange is not what I would wish it to be and I am having the position examined.