asked the Minister for Labour if any research has been carried out by him or any agency of his Department in relation to the level of unemployment in housing estates (details supplied) in the western suburbs of Dublin; if so, which of these estates have (a) unemployment in excess of three times the national average of 18 per cent, that is 54 per cent or higher and (b) unemployment in excess of 18 per cent, that is 36 per cent and less than 54 per cent; if this information is not available if he will arrange to provide it; and if the information is available, the exceptional measures which he proposes to take to relieve the problems in the worst affected areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment in Dublin Housing Estates.
2.
One of my top priorities in establishing FÁS was to develop a training and employment service on a regionalised basis capable of responding promptly, effectively and efficiently to local needs. In its short existence, FÁS has made considerable progress in developing such a client-centred service. Its presence at local level gives FÁS a detailed knowledge of local priorities and problems such as youth unemployment in the areas in question and enables it to respond in the most appropriate way.
The experience of FÁS in the Clondalkin, Tallaght, Ballyfermot and Blanchardstown areas supports my view on the need for local structures. The areas contain two major training centres with a further one operating in the vicinity. There are four FÁS employment service offices in the areas with the most recent being opened last November in Blanchardstown. Residents of these areas also use the centre city employment office in D'Olier Street.
The Clondalkin, Tallaght, Ballyfermot and Blanchardstown areas contain a number of Community Training Workshops. In addition some of Jobsearch courses are operating in the areas.
The Youthreach programme which has been developed to meet the needs of those who leave school with little or no qualifications will operate intensively in the area. The Dublin West-Kildare region plan provides for 500 places on Youthreach involving FÁS and the VECs with the majority of places being provided in the Tallaght, Clondalkin and Ballyfermot areas. A new VEC Youthreach programme will be launched in the Blanchardstown area.
These are also on-going Community Youth Training Projects, Community Enterprise Programmes and FAS's continuous recruitment assistance to local businesses.
In the case of Tallaght, FÁS have developed an integrated area development plan which has been running for 18 months and which involves collaboration on enterprise and the promotion of enterprise with all State agencies and local voluntary bodies and groups in Tallaght.
All FÁS regions have developed regional plans and the plan for the Dublin West region to which I have already referred will set out FÁS plans for its services and activities in the areas in question.
The examples which I have outlined combine the application of national programmes to the identified needs of local areas with the mix of programmes being determined by local management. Such an approach calls on the knowledge of the local FÁS personnel. It is, in my view, more cost effective than expensive surveys which may need continuous updating and consistent with the policy of local structures and decentralised decision making which I have pursued since the passing of the Labour Services Act two years ago.
Is the Minister serious in offering that as a reply to the question on the Order Paper? I asked the Minister in respect of specified estates what the rate of unemployment was and if he would give the name of the estates where the rate was more than three times the national average. Would the Minister please give that information?
The Deputy asked a number of questions.
The Minister was tiptoeing through the tulips; he must think that the people out there are tulips.
I do not think anybody out there are tulips but if you look at the question——
What is the worst percentage unemployment rate in any of those estates in west Dublin?
I cannot give it road by road as the question asked but I will give the details I have. In the Dublin west region a total of £16 million will be spent on training and employment programmes within the region. The unemployment rate in the sub areas — Dublin west inner suburbs — which comprise Ballyfermot, Crumlin, Drimnagh, Inchicore and Walkinstown is 19.6 per cent. In greater Tallaght which comprises Tallaght, Firhouse, Oldbawn, Jobstown and Kilnamanagh the rate is 24 per cent. In greater Clondalkin which comprises Clondalkin, Neilstown, Bawnogue, Palmerstown and Chapelizod the rate is 22.4 per cent.
The Minister very deliberately brings in areas like Palmerstown and Chapelizod. Can he tell me specifically what is the unemployment rate in Ronanstown, Jobstown and Lady-swell? Would the Minister accept that unemployment rates in excess of 54 per cent, and perhaps in excess of 60 per cent, are common in those suburbs?
I will give them all to the Deputy, at least in the areas in which they are broken down.
It is very obvious that the Minister is wriggling.
I was trying to find out what the Deputy's question was aiming at. In Fettercairn it is 56 per cent, Killinardin 50 per cent, Jobstown 47 per cent, Avonbeg 33 per cent, Rolagh, 43 per cent, The Naul 35 per cent, Cherry Orchard C 51 per cent, Kilmore 34 per cent, Decies 34 per cent and Drumfinn 33 per cent.
Thank you.