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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 3

Written Answers. - Local Employment Service.

Helen Keogh

Question:

22 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the reason for the delays in establishing the local employment services networks; and the anticipated savings, if any, which will accrue in 1996. [23203/96]

The Government decided on 14 February 1995 to accept the central recommendation in the Interim Report of the Task Force on Long-term Unemployment that a local employment service be put in place to meet the needs of the long-term unemployed. It was decided that the service should be established in the 12 original partnership areas and two non-partnership areas, namely Clare and Kildare.

A key objective for the successful implementations of the LES was to ensure that each area's plan was tailored to meet local needs and to ensure involvement from key local, interested organisations. While this process may have delayed the initial stage of the LES, it will ensure that the operation of the service is likely to be more successful, given the level of prior local agreement reached.

A substantial amount of groundwork was needed to get the service up and running. The preparation of individual area plans for the LES involved a co-ordinated and concentrated approach from many organisations working at local level to help the unemployed. During 1995 and early in 1996 the main work for each of the LES areas involved agreeing an LES plan, setting up a structure locally to deliver the service, securing office accommodation, identifying and training staff and liaising with my Department on implementation matters.

Throughout 1996, the service has come on stream progressively in the different selected areas. To date in 1996 in excess of 7,800 clients have availed of the service and many are actively engaged in guidance, training and placement activities under the auspices of the LES. By the end of the year, all 14 first phase areas will be open and providing a service to clients. I hope to extend the service to four new areas in 1997, following an evaluation which will be completed later this month and which will identify the lessons to be learned to date from the first phase.

I would anticipate that from a total budget of £6 million for the LES in 1996 there will be a saving of approximately £2 million. This is to be expected in view of the time involved in setting up the service, as I have just mentioned.

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