asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the large number of unemployed in the area, he will arrange to have Maynooth employment office, County Kildare, upgraded to a full employment exchange; and if he will arrange for the provision there, on a full time basis of Manpower service facilities.
Written Answers. - Maynooth (Kildare) Employment Office.
149.
The Department's office in Maynooth is run by a branch manager who provides office accommodation and staffing under contract.
The growth in the number of unemployed claimants has undoubtedly placed considerable pressure on both the accommodation and the staff of all the Department's local offices. While there are no plans at present to upgrade Maynooth employment office to a full employment exchange, the question of providing an employment exchange in the Lucan-Leixlip area is being examined.
The branch manager is in the process of acquiring alternative accommodation for the branch office, which will enable the level of service to be improved.
The question of arranging for the provision of full time Manpower service facilities in Maynooth is a matter for An FÁS. It is accepted that the provision of information on such facilities would enhance the service available to social welfare clients and the objective is to arrange for this in future where it is feasible.