Vol. 337 No. 6
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the serious lack of space and facilities at the employment exchange in Kilkenny city because of the increasing number of unemployed; and, if so, when more suitable premises will be provided.
528.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the inadequate and difficult conditions the staff at the employment exchange in Kilkenny work under; and the action he is taking to improve the situation.
529.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the inadequate accommodation for persons claiming unemployment benefit and assistance at the employment exchange in Kilkenny; and the action he is taking to improve the situation.
530.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the following deficiencies in Kilkenny Employment exchange: (1) insufficient space behind the counter; (2) inadequate working facilities (no desks)— all work has to be performed at counter in cramped conditions, that is, signing boxes and so on; (3) no proper filing facilities for unemployment assistance papers and lapsed claims; (4) only one electric socket for the entire office; (5) the counter is too high and antiquated chairs; (6) toilet facilities are very poor — only one toilet which is shared with upstairs staff; (7) canteen facilities non-existent, except for a bucket under the counter; (8) no wash-up area; (9) building badly in need of painting; (10) no alarm system; (11) no facilities for filing current hatch claims near counter—boxes have to be carried daily; (12) workload very heavy, seven persons on staff and they are on continuous overtime; and (13) the building is inadequate to accommodate numbers signing; and if he will make a statement on the immediate steps he proposes to remedy this situation.
531.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the steps he proposes to take to provide adequate and humane facilities for people signing at the Kilkenny employment exchange.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 527 to 531, inclusive, together.
I am aware that the present accommodation and facilities at the employment exchange in Kilkenny are not fully satisfactory. The intention is to provide a completely new employment exchange in the new Government offices which the Commissioners of Public Works are arranging to have built in Kilkenny at Old Callan Road. Pending the building of the new offices efforts are being made to find suitable temporary alternative premises for the employment exchange. To date such efforts have not been successful but the obtaining of suitable temporary premises will continue to be pursued and in the meantime steps are being taken to improve the conditions as far as possible in the present employment exchange.
I wish to assure the Deputy of my concern about the position in the present employment exchange and of my intention to have proper employment exchange facilities provided in Kilkenny as soon as possible.
