asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to interruptions in dealing with social welfare claims in the Limerick county and city areas; the permanent arrangements being made to provide suitable accommodation to facilitate claimants and administration staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Social Welfare Claims.
6.
At intermittent intervals between October 1986 and April 1987 limited industrial action was taken at the employment exchange in Limerick by members of the union representing the majority of staff in protest against the delay in commencing the construction of a new employment exchange. This action took the form of refusal to deal with telephone inquiries, non-handling of incoming post and the non-completion of statistical returns and this led to delays in making unemployment payments in the Limerick city and county areas.
Following discussions, the union concerned substantially reduced the scale of the industrial action subject to the condition that the Office of Public Works who are responsible for my Department's building programme would invite tenders for the construction of the new building by the end of July 1987. This industrial action is not, at present, causing delays in the payments of benefit. I am satisfied that every effort is being made to issue the invitations to tender at the earliest possible date and I am confident that work on the erection of the new building will commence before the end of the year.
In the meantime, a building for a temporary employment exchange for women at Mungret Street, Limerick, has been acquired and it is expected that these premises will be ready for occupation in early autumn. The addition of a second employment exchange in Limerick will be beneficial to claimants and staff alike and will eliminate overcrowding until the new employment exchange is ready for occupation.
Is the Minister satisfied with the security arrangements in operation at the temporary accommodation?
I have no questions to raise about security arrangements from the information available to me but if the Deputy is concerned about a possible danger I will look into it.