asked the Minister for Labour the reason for the delay in providing a National Manpower office at Tuam, County Galway.
Questions—Ceisteanna. Oral Answers. - Tuam Manpower Office.
39.
Following a visit by me to the Tuam area early this year I arranged for the Galway Regional Office of the National Manpower Service to provide a service for the area on a "clinic" basis. The "clinic" operates once a week at present. The level of activity is kept under constant review and an extension of the service will be provided if the demand increases.
In view of the level of activity experienced at this "clinic", would the Minister not agree that there is a need for a permanent manpower office in Tuam?
The Deputy will be aware that earlier this year I decided there was need for clinic facilities and, as I said, the level of activity will be kept under constant review. If it is found that there is a necessity for such a service, it will have favourable consideration.
Is it agreed to finish questions to the Minister for Labour?
Is the Minister aware that he gave a commitment for a permanent Manpower office in Tuam, not one of the nature that is in existence at the moment. The Minister has not answered my first supplementary which was, in view of the level of activity experienced in the office being used at present would he not concede that there is a need there for a permanent office?
Regarding the first part of the supplementary I should like the Deputy to refer me to my reference to a permanent office being on the way. However, I did say that the level of activity is being and will be kept under constant review for the purpose of ascertaining whether an extension of the service will be necessary in Tuam.
Has the Minister any report on the level of activity to date?
Of course I have. The Deputy must appreciate that an office as such has been operating on a clinic basis for a number of months in the town but one must decide over a period whether a full-time office is justifiable.
When will a decision on the matter be reached?
I am calling Deputy Horgan.
You made a request, Sir, as to whether the House will agree to clear the remainder of the questions to the Minister but in view of the lack of generosity on the part of the Minister in replying to supplementaries, we would prefer that the remaining questions be held over until tomorrow.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.