asked the Minister for Social Welfare the measures, if any, he proposes to take to improve facilities at Maynooth employment exchange, County Kildare, whether he expects to provide improved facilities in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Maynooth (Kildare) Employment Exchange.
129.
The Department's office in Maynooth is run by a branch manager who provides office accommodation and staffing under contract.
The growth in the number of unemployed claimants has undoubtedly placed considerable pressure on both the accommodation and the staff of all the Department's local offices. The situation at each office is kept under constant review and improvements made as soon as circumstances allow.
In recognition of the difficulties at the office in Maynooth, revised signing arrangements which provide for the signing and payment of individuals over an extended four-day period were introduced last year and this alleviated the pressure to some degree. The branch manager also endeavoured to improve the situation by purchasing a dwelling house which he intended to convert into an employment office but was refused permission to do so by the planning authority. This decision was upheld on appeal by An Bord Pleanála.
It is accepted that the existing premises are not entirely satisfactory and the question of acquiring alternative suitable accommodation is being pursued by the branch manager.