asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she is aware of the difficulties and costs being experienced by many people who have to travel long distances to labour exchanges; if she has any proposals to reduce the difficulties and lessen the costs involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Labour Exchange Arrangements.
60.
Signing of the register of unemployed at least once a week by claimants is an integral and important element in the proper administration of the schemes. Unemployed persons who reside within six miles of a local office of the Department are required to attend at that office to prove unemployment. In the majority of cases the person is required to attend on only one day each week. Where, however, the unemployed person is residing over six miles from the office he or she is required to attend at the nearest Garda station or other signing centre of which there is a large number spread throughout the country. It is not considered that these arrangements pose an undue burden on claimants.
While it is not proposed to make any changes at present to the signing arrange ments which apply to unemployed per sons generally, provision has now been made for a new scheme of payment to persons on long term unemployment assistance over age 55 who have been continuously unemployed for over 1 months. Under the new arrangement such claimants will only have to sign the unemployed register once every three months. The introduction of the new arrangement has had to be postponed however because certain of the staff interests involved have not to date agreed the necessary administrative procedures. The arrangements will commence as soon as this matter has been resolved.