Vol. 419 No. 1
177 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline, (a) the square footage in the new social welfare offices at Mellowes Road in Finglas, Dublin 11, (b) the plans for the services that should be located there and (c) the proposed timescale for the commencement of services there.
The new social welfare local office in Finglas is due to open in October this year. It has an overall floor space of 26,000 sq. feet. There are approximately 4,550 persons from the Finglas area registered as unemployed at the North Cumberland Street and Gardiner Street offices at present and their claims will be transferred to the new office. In addition to the processing of unemployment benefit and assistance claims the new office will provide a comprehensive information service and a facility for the registration and acceptance of disability benefit medical certificates. FÁS will also have office facilities in the new building.
My Department is committed to a policy of providing an improved localised service for all clients and the range of services available at the office will be expanded as progress is made on this front.
