Vol. 393 No. 4
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the new labour exchange at Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 will open; the area which will be covered by this new labour exchange; the total number expected to sign on each week at the labour exchange; if he will confirm that apart from signing on at the exchange unemployed persons will be paid there; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
106.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to ongoing complaints about the adequacy of facilities at the sub-post office at Upper Ballyfermot Road, Dublin 10 for the payment of many social welfare pensions, benefits and assistance; to reports that it is intended that, upon the opening of the new employment exchange at Ballyfermot that due to staff shortages payments will not be made there but that those signing on there would be referred for payment to the sub-post office; whether these reports are true; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 105 and 106 together.
My Department's new Social Welfare Services Office at Rossmore Avenue, Ballyfermot, is expected to be ready for occupation in February 1990. It is designed to cater for up to 3,500 unemployed persons residing in postal districts 10 and 20. The vast majority of the claimants in these areas are at present paid in cash at centre city offices. In accordance with normal practice, services at the new office will become operational on a phased basis. When the new office is fully operational, they will be paid in cash there.
The new Social Welfare Services Office will be equipped with the latest computer technology and will provide applicants with an integrated local service with access to information on their social welfare entitlements. The service will include payment in cash to unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance applicants.
No complaints have been received in my Department from social welfare recipients regarding conditions at the sub post office at Upper Ballyfermot Road. Such complaints would however be a matter for An Post. It is understood from the authorities at An Post that only two complaints have been made in the last 18 months about the conditions at the office and that the situation is kept under review.
