Vol. 508 No. 1
157 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has received a submission from Westmeath Employment Network which wishes to establish a local employment service network; if so, if she will give immediate favourable consideration to the establishment of this important service in County Westmeath; when a decision will be given on the proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17708/99]
I have received a submission from the Westmeath Employment Network for a local employment service, LES, in the region. The LES is currently established in 25 areas throughout the country. The Government decided in March of this year to bring the LES under the auspices of FÁS in order to improve the coherence and complementarity of the LES and FÁS employment service function. The question of further development of employment services will be addressed in the context of the new framework which is being put in place to give effect to that decision.
