Michael Moynihan
Ceist:29 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Welfare when improved employment exchange facilities will be provided in Killarney, County Kerry.
Written Answers. - Killarney (Kerry) Employment Exchange.
My Department's services to the unemployed in Killarney and its surrounding area are provided through a branch employment office which is currently located at 68 New Street, Killarney.
Managers of branch employment offices are employed under the terms of a contract for service which requires each manager to provide, among other things, suitable furnished premises with adequate counter and other facilities necessary for the efficient provision of services to the public.
A new branch manager was appointed in Killarney on 1 December 1989. It is a specific condition of her appointment that she provide alternative premises to those in use at present. For this purpose she has acquired premises near the town centre which she intends to convert to use as a branch employment office. Her proposals in this regard have been approved in principle by my Department. However, her application to the local planning authority for permission to carry out this development has been refused. This decision is currently the subject of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála.
I am assured by the new branch manager that the branch employment office in Killarney will be relocated to new and fully suitable premises either at the location already proposed, or elsewhere, as soon as possible.