Chris Flood
Question:13 Mr. Flood asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the new Tallaght Social Welfare office will be opening to the public; the level of services to be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5841/95]
Written Answers. - Tallaght (Dublin) Social Welfare Office.
The new Social Services Office in Tallaght is being fitted out at present and it is expected that it will open to the public before the end of May 1995. The new offices will feature as the local headquarters for social welfare services for the town of Tallaght and for its hinterland in north-west County Wicklow and will cater for a population of approximately 80,000.
The processing and maintenance of unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance claims will be administered from the new office. There are approximately 7,500 persons registered as unemployed at the existing office at present. The new office will provide a fully comprehensive social welfare information service and a facility for the registration and acceptance of disability benefit claims.
FÁS and the Eastern Health Board community welfare staff will also provide services from the new office. My Department has for some time being pursuing a localisation programme. In order to give added momentum, direction and emphasis to the programme it is envisaged that the services in Tallaght will, over time, provide for all facets of the social services needs of the local people.