(Dublin Central) asked the Minister for Labour if he will consider making suitable consulting offices available for placement officers from AnCO at unemployment exchanges in large towns and cities throughout the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - AnCO Placement Officers.
16.
The placement of job seekers is a function of the National Manpower Service which is a part of my Department and which works in close collaboration with AnCO. The National Manpower Service has 21 offices located in cities and large towns throughout the country. The cities and towns with offices at present and in which offices will be opened in 1975 are listed in a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, will be circulated with the Official Report. It is my intention to provide NMS offices in all large towns soon.
Following is the statement:
Existing offices of the National Manpower Service:
Athlone, Ballybofey, Castlerea, Clonmel, Cork, Drogheda, Dublin, Dundalk, Dungarvan, Ennis, Galway, Limerick, Longford, Monaghan, Nenagh, Newbridge, Sligo, Tralee, Tullamore, Waterford, Wexford.
Offices which it is proposed to open during 1975:
Ballina, Bantry, Mallow, Cavan.
(Dublin Central): What I have in mind was to have placement officers attached to employment centres such as, for instance, the one at Gardiner Street. It would be far more appropriate to have placement officers at the exchanges where people are signing on because very often people do not know where to go. Would the Minister not agree he would be better stationed there than having to go to O'Connell Bridge House?
That argument has been gone over and concluded. It is generally felt that the main problem is to get adequate offices, staffed by skilled and sufficient personnel. Even at this time of unemployment it is possible, with the requisite staff and offices, to ensure that a high quota of those looking for jobs are placed in them. As the Deputy knows, even in this period of unemployment, there is a great shortage of skilled workers. I think the question is not the actual siting of the office but to ensure sufficient offices are there. It is my intention to ensure that in every large town such an office will be available.
(Dublin Central): I am quite convinced that the placing of the officer at the employment centre is the appropriate place to have him.
That is not a question, Deputy.
(Dublin Central): Is the Minister trying to keep the placement officers away from the people because there are no jobs for them?