Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 1

Written Answers. - Local Employment Service.

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

15 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the number and location of local employment services currently up and running; the number of jobs created with the help of local employment services since their inception; the proposals, if any, he has for the further development of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6282/97]

Máirín Quill

Question:

25 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will give a progress report on the development of the Local Employment Service. [6217/97]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 25 together.

There are 18 areas earmarked for the Local Employment Service. The service is currently operational in the original 14 areas, namely Cork city, south west Kerry, Waterford, Dublin north-side, Dublin inner city, County Wexford, Mayo, Dundalk, Tallaght, Finglas-Cabra, Limerick, Ballymun, Kildare and Clare.

Four new areas were recently approved by Government, as follows: Drogheda, Ballyfermot, Clondalkin and Blanchardstown.

In selecting the new areas, the Government gave priority to large urban areas experiencing high levels of unemployment. 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 met representatives of the four new areas to organise the implementation of the service.

The Local Employment Service was never designed to create jobs. 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. Of course, at the end of a process the intention is that clients will secure employment or, at least, be far better prepared for competing in the labour market. During 1996, the LES engaged with 7,500 clients involving some 21,000 actions — guidance, support, progression. For 1997, with a more complete service developing in the original 14 areas and the four new areas to come on stream, I would expect that the LES will engage with some 16,500 clients.

Forfás recently completed an initial review of the Local Employment Service which, while broadly positive in its conclusions, noted that the LES is still in its formative stage and needs further development to achieve its potential. The review outlined a number of recommendations which are currently being examined in my Department to see how best we can progress the development of the LES over the coming months.

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 I 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.