asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the nearest employment exchange office to the town of Carrickmacross is situate at Dundalk, a distance of sixteen miles, and that when destitute persons have to make personal application for benefit they have to walk to Dundalk and back, and, if so, whether he will consider the necessity of re-opening the branch office at Carrickmacross.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CARRICKMACROSS UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT FACILITIES.
The nearest employment exchange to the town of Carrickmacross is, as stated by the Deputy, situated at Dundalk. It is not, however, correct to state that persons residing in Carrickmacross who desire to apply for unemployment insurance benefit are obliged to travel to Dundalk for that purpose. The rules governing the payment of unemployment benefit provide, inter alia, that claimants resident in Carrickmacross may be excused attendance at Dundalk for the purpose of claiming benefit. In that case persons desiring to claim unemployment benefit may do so through the post, by which means they may also continue to prove unemployment and receive payment of benefit.
The question of the necessity for reopening the branch office at Carrickmacross is at present under consideration, and I will arrange that the Deputy be informed of the decision reached in the matter.