asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the removal of the social welfare signing centre from Lyranes to Shanacashel P.O., County Kerry, where there is no accommodation thus putting an extra mile travel distance on 80 per cent of the applicants who sign in the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kerry Social Welfare Centre.
6.
The signing centre was moved to the post office at Lyranes, Glencar, not Shanacashel, as stated by the Deputy, because more suitable accommodation which I am satisfied will be convenient for the applicants concerned, was available there.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that 80 per cent of the people from a point south of the original signing centre must now travel 1¼ miles further to sign? Would the Parliamentary Secretary be prepared to arrange a new signing centre in the south to suit the people of that area? Why was the centre moved to the post office from the crossroads centre because I understand there is no accommodation at the post office?
My information is that the centre has been moved a half a mile from where it was situated and that it will not cause any inconvenience to the persons signing there. It is being moved to the post office.
The signing centre was at a crossroads section in comfortable and heated quarters. This is a bleak windswept side of the mountain and my information is that there is not sufficient accommodation at the other centre. Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree to use the original accommodation for the convenience of 80 per cent of those who live south of that point and have to travel further north to sign?
My information is that the centre has been moved half a mile to the post office.
It is a long half mile.
I also understand that the hours now available for signing will be greater than those which operated when the police called around for that specific purpose. I am satisfied that the proper decision was taken. I accept that the centre was in comfortable accommodation but, unfortunately it was part of a licensed premises and I regard them as totally unsuitable.
The signing centre was not part of a licensed premises. It was separated from that building by about 30 to 40 feet. The licensed premises stand alone and the centre was in an entertainment hall.