Vol. 467 No. 5
19 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the number of existing local employment services; the locations of these services; the plans, if any, he has for additional services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10367/96]
The local employment service is being established in 14 areas, comprising 12 partnership areas, Cork city, south west Kerry, Waterford, northside (Dublin), Dublin inner city, Wexford, Mayo, Dundalk, Tallaght, Finglas/Cabra, Limerick, Ballymun and two non-partnership areas, Kildare and Clare. The service is fully operational in five areas and is well progressed in the other areas. I expect the service to be fully operational in all areas by October 1996. This includes 22 local employment centres and over 70 contact points throughout the 14 years.
As I already informed the House on 17 April last, my plans for 1996 are that the local employment service should be consolidated in these 14 areas. I believe it is preferable to assess the progress of these 14 areas before we consider undertaking further expansion. In this regard it is proposed that an evaluation of the service will commence later this year. What we learn about the current phase will be of benefit to other areas in establishing the service in the future.
