Vol. 475 No. 7
222 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the aims of the local employment service; the areas in which it is in place; when it will be extended; the areas to which it will be extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5695/97]
The local employment service networks are currently operational in 14 key areas around the country, comprising 12 partnership areas, Cork city, south-west Kerry, Waterford, Dublin's northside, inner city Dublin, County Wexford, Mayo, Dundalk, Tallght, Finglas/Cabra, Limerick, Ballymun and two non-partnership areas, Kildare and Clare. The aim of the LES is to provide the gateway or access point to the full range of options which should be available to enable a long-term unemployed person return to the world of work — these include guidance, training, education and employment supports.
The Government has recently agreed to the extension of the service to four new areas: Drogheda; Ballyfermot; Clondalkin; and Blanchardstown.
In selecting these areas, the Government gave priority to large urban areas experiencing high levels of unemployment and those with a drug abuse problem. I am confident that the LES can make a real impact in the four new areas that are characterised by endemic unemployment. Officials of my Department have met with representatives of the four new areas to organise the implementation of the service in those areas.
Partnership 2000 commits the Government to the development of an effective public employment service, including the phased expansion of the local employment service to all partnership areas during the period of the agreement. I am currently reviewing options in this regard and am anxious to ensure the provision, in a structured and well directed way, of improved information, guidance and placement services to the unemployed and the matching of individual job-seekers with notified vacancies from employers. In this context the LES will provide an intensive, client-centred service in selected disadvantaged areas to those furthest removed from the labour market.
