Joe Walsh
Question:6 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans, if any, he has in relation to the future of social welfare branch offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10372/96]
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Branch Offices.
Mary Coughlan
Question:12 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Social Welfare the basis on which consideration is being given to the closure of the social welfare offices at Ballyshannon, Donegal town, Killybegs and Ballybofey, County Donegal; the negotiations, if any, which have taken place with the office managers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10423/96]
Batt O'Keeffe
Question:37 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will cancel plans to close local social welfare offices in view of the potential impact on basic welfare services. [10062/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 12 and 37 together. The position is the same as that indicated by the Minister during the Adjournment Debate about the future of social welfare branch offices on 17 April 1996 and again in reply to written questions on 30 April 1996, namely that no decision has yet been taken with regard to the future of the branch offices and any such decision will be fully discussed with the branch managers under the terms of the conciliation and arbitration scheme which covers them. A meeting at official level has been arranged with the Branch Managers' Association for Monday, 27 May 1996 to discuss these matters.
This matter has arisen because the Minister for Social Welfare, announced he was reviewing the future of branch offices. It is cold comfort to branch managers to be told that the matter will be discussed with them under the terms of the conciliation and arbitration scheme. Will the Minister of State confirm the guarantee given by his colleague, Deputy Sheehan, at the Cork County Council meeting on Monday that no social welfare branch offices will be closed.
The review to which the Deputy referred has been in progress for several years and was active during the period in which he and his colleagues were responsible for policy. From the end of the 1980s the Department has been engaged in a programme of fundamental change in the way it delivers services to the public and in that regard a number of branch offices were closed while some were continued on the basis of new contracts. Given that all contracts will not terminate at the same time and all managers will not retire at the same time, it was the established policy, which is under constant review, that each case would be examined on its merits. That is what the Minister said in replies to questions in this House, copies of which I have with me and, if necessary, I will read them into the record.
It is ironic the Minister of State is following his colleague the Minister of State with responsibility for the west who has been making statements about retaining communities in the west. Will the Minister of State accept that in rural towns, particularly in coastal areas, the dole office or the social welfare branch office is very important to the town as many people travel to town to sign on. As a result a considerable sum of money circulates in the town and its hinterland. Has the Minister given consideration to upgrading local offices to make them more comfortable and accessible and a source of more information?
Obviously, consideration is given to upgrading the standard of accommodation and improving the quality of service which the Department provides to its customers, the general public. This has been ongoing for several years. In the past five to six years a total of four offices were closed in accordance with the policy. In some cases they were replaced by modern offices but in others they were not. The review is continuing and no decision has been made. Obviously, no decision will be made until all the necessary negotiations which should take place in such cases have been conducted.
The pivotal role of the branch office manager and his staff is recognised throughout the country. The suggestion that a decision has been made is most misleading and unfair to branch managers and their staff.
May I remind Members that we have a further 14 minutes to deal with the remaining four priority questions.
It appears that all the modernisation is taking place in urban areas and Members would like to see offices in rural towns being upgraded. I note the Minister of State has distanced himself from the categorical statement of guarantee from his colleague Deputy Sheehan that these offices would not be closed.
I have no wish to distance myself from my esteemed colleague Deputy Sheehan. I am sure the Deputy opposite is giving me an accurate report of what took place at that meeting but since I was not there I have no intention of getting involved either to verify or deny what took place.
It was reported accurately in The Examiner.
I very much regret that I may not call Deputy Coughlan as we are dealing with Priority Questions.
I am annoyed about that.
Regardless of that I may only call the Member who tabled the priority question.
I wish to protest because the question should not have been linked to another question if I was not being allowed ask a supplementary question.
That is outside the control of the Chair but I greatly regret that I may not call the Deputy.
I did not ask that my question be taken with the priority question.
I will not debate the matter with the Deputy.