Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Jun 1992

Vol. 420 No. 9

Adjournment Debate Matter. - Proposed Closure of Kenmare (Kerry) Labour Exchange.

Mr. Moynihan

A Cheann Comhairle, I thank you for affording me the opportunity to raise this very important matter. I am delighted the Minister is present to respond despite the lateness of the hour.

Kenmare labour exchange has been a focal point for the unemployed in this part of Kerry since the foundation of the State. It not only serves the needs of the local town population of 1,100 but its catchment area ranges over a rugged mountainous terrain extending to some 20 miles. At present there are approximately 470 people signing on at this exchange on a weekly basis. In addition all applications and renewals for medical cards in respect of social welfare recipients have to be stamped at the local exchange. A very substantial proportion of the population have medical cards and therefore a large number has to attend the labour exchange.

According to the 1992 provisional census of population, the population of the area has increased from 5,896 in 1986 to 6,164, an increase of 268. This was only urban or rural area in County Kerry to show an increase in population, and it is indicative of the development of tourism in the Kenmare area which is in its infancy. The potential for further growth in tourism and the consequent job creation is enormous. This will place new demands on the labour exchange.

I am particularly grateful to have the opportunity to raise this matter tonight because there has been no public pronouncement from the Department that the labour exchange is about to close and I now have the opportunity to strongly urge the Minister to rethink this decision. I wish to stress also that it would be totally counter productive to transfer duties normally performed by the labour exchange to the Garda Síochána as this would restrict the performance of their primary function — the protection of the community.

The removal of any public service office from a town is a retrograde step but in the light of the developing tourism industry it would be disastrous for Kenmare as at some future date the service would have to be restored. I am not aware of the Minister's proposals in the event of the closure of the exchange but I believe that no one else could provide the excellent service which the manager and his staff afford to the unemployed and the general public who seek the assistance of the office, whether for medical cards, school transport or other matters where the Manager's signature of authorisation is required.

I urge the Minister to consider very seriously a continuation of the service at this labour exchange, a service that has been totally satisfactory, which has served the community well in what is a sparsely populated district. The nearest alternative labour exchanges are in Killarney and Caherciveen but it would be beyond the capacity of many of those now using the Kenmare office to travel the distance to those other towns.

Minister for Social Welfare (Mr. McCreevy)

I am glad Deputy Moynihan has raised this matter on the Adjournment as it affords me the opportunity of referring to the proposed closure of the Kenmare labour exchange. Deputy Moynihan has made a good case on behalf of his constituents. I hope my reply will give the Deputy an assurance that the service which will be provided in the future will be better than the present service.

Up to the end of May, my Department provided service to the unemployed in the Kenmare area through the agency of a branch employment office. Offices of this kind are run by private individuals who are contracted by my Department to provide a limited range of services. The manager of the branch employment office recently opted for early retirement on health grounds and advised me that he wished to terminate his contract with my Department at the end of May 1992. The retiring manager had provided an excellent service over the years. I want to take this opportunity to thank him for his dedication and commitment and to wish him well in his retirement.

In my view, there is a growing need today for an information service on all social welfare schemes. In addition, many people want to be able to discuss their business in confidence with officials of my Department locally rather than have to write to Dublin. Recent advances in information technology have enabled my Department to extend the range of information which can be made available at local level.

The Kenmare office serves on average 370 unemployed people and, of these, between 80 and 90 attend the office in person each week. Most of the remaining numbers sign at Garda stations and are paid at their local post offices. I have arranged that, for the present, staff of my Department will continue to provide the normal service from the branch office premises. However, this is only an interim arrangement pending the introduction of new procedures to serve the unemployed claimants affected.

In future, the existing claimants, numbering about 80-90, who are signing-on and being paid at the Kenmare office will be dealt with as postal claimants. These claimants will sign-on at their local Garda stations and will receive payments at a post office which they will nominate. It is intended to introduce fortnightly signing shortly for these claimants as a further development of the service in the Kenmare area. Existing postal claimants, who make up the bulk of those served by office, will not be affected other than the office which deals with their claims being changed. When these arrangements are in place the current service provided by the Kenmare office will cease.

Before this takes place a "helpdesk" will be provided at the office to (a) familiarise claimants with the new procedures, (b) acquaint each other claimant fully with the new arrangement, and (c) inform them of the new office dealing with their claim. The existing office will be manned for the week following the closure to deal with fresh claims from people who may not be aware of the new arrangements.

In place of the branch office, I intend to provide a broader-based service in Kenmare. This service will be provided by experienced staff of my Department and will operate for at least one day per week. My Department also have another presence in Kenmare on the investigative side and I am examining ways in which this role can be expanded so as to allow the public direct access to my Department on one other day per week. Computer links to the central social welfare computer system will be available locally enabling inquiries from the public to be dealt with across all social welfare schemes. The unemployed will be able to submit fresh claims at this new office which will continue to serve as a signing centre on a fortnightly basis. They will also receive payments at a post office of their choice. It is hoped, after a few weeks, that a facility will also be available to enable clients in receipt of disability benefit to present their medical certificates and to have their claims processed quickly and payments generated.

As a result, people living in Kenmare will be able to avail of an extended service from my Department and will be able to secure details of their entitlements without having to write to Dublin or Sligo. I am confident that the provision of this expanded service will mean an improved service to the people of Kenmare and its surrounding area.

The Dáil adjourned at 10.55 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 10 June 1992.