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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Jun 1991

Vol. 409 No. 4

Written Answers. - Castlecomer (Kilkenny) Employment Exchange.

Phil Hogan

Question:

27 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline the changes proposed at the employment exchange in Castlecomer, County Kilkenny; and if he will reverse this decision in order to protect the existing service and staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The office in Castlecomer, County Kilkenny, dealing with social welfare claimants was a branch employment office. Such offices are operated by private individuals under contracts with my Department. The service contract is confined to the signing of, and making payments to, unemployed persons.

Managers of a branch employment office provide the necessary premises and may hire staff to assist in the carrying out of the service. In the case of Castlecomer, the manager has resigned and new premises will have to be provided. This development has given an opportunity to consider the needs of all our clients in the Castlecomer area, and will better meet local requirements.
Unemployed claimants who previously signed at the Castlecomer office will continue to receive their payments regularly and on time and the process will be made more convenient for them. An important improvement being piloted in the area is a fortnightly signing arrangement. At present claimants are required to attend at a pre-set time every week. In future, they will be able to receive their payments weekly at their local post offices and will only be required to sign at fortnightly intervals.
I am providing a new information service in the town of Castlecomer. Premises are being acquired and will be specially adapted for this purpose. They will be staffed by trained permanent staff. There will also be a social welfare officer in attendance and facilities for private discussions with members of the public. The office will have a computer link to the main social welfare computer system allowing for immediate responses to queries on individual entitlements. The question of providing facilities for the speedier processing of disability benefit claims is also under consideration.
Pending the completion of the work on the new office, I have arranged for a temporary renting of the premises in which the former branch office was located. It will be staffed by my officials who will provide whatever assistance is needed for a smooth transition to the new and expanded service.
I am making extensive improvements in the range of local services and in the access to information and advice which the public can receive when they contact any office of my Department. There is an increasing demand today for access to information on the full range of schemes and entitlements in the social welfare area. The use of modern technology within my Department allows a wider and more timely service to be offered to the public. Very considerable investments in buildings, technology and staff training have been made and will continue to be made to enhance the local services in every respect.
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