Vol. 494 No. 3
134 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she will be announcing the next tranche of the local employment service; and if she will ensure that Bray, County Wicklow, is included. [18165/98]
On Tuesday, 29 September 1998, I announced the expansion of the Local Employment Service — LES — to the following seven partnership areas; Bray, Canal Communities, in Dublin city, Galway city, Monaghan, Southside — in Dún-Laoghaire-Rathdown, Tralee and Waterford city. This expansion of the LES brings the service to 25 areas and is consistent with the commitment in Partnership 2000 to extend the LES to disadvantage areas over the lifetime of the programme. I have been anxious to ensure that the expansion of the LES would take place in the context of the strengthening of our employment services generally in order that we provide a comprehensive, co-ordinated service for the unemployed and at the same time protect the taxpayer's investment.
Officials of my Department will shortly be contacting the relevant partnerships to discuss the start-up of the services in the areas concerned.
