Alan Shatter
Ceist:5 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Labour whether it is intended to continue funding the Ballymun Job Centre, Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the future of the centre.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ballymun, Dublin, Job Centre.
Mary Flaherty
Ceist:12 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Labour if he will make a statement on his meeting with the Ballymun Job Centre and FÁS; and if he will outline whether a future for this scheme has been assured.
I intend to take Questions Nos. 5 and 12 together.
The Ballymun Job Centre was set up in 1986 with assistance from the Youth Employment Agency and other State and private agencies. On its establishment in 1988, FÁS took over responsibility for the YEA element of the centre's funding.
Accompanied by FÁS and departmental officials, I met a deputation from the centre in February last for a general discussion on the centre's operations. Ballymun is one of the pilot areas selected under the integrated areas programme introduced under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress. It will be a matter for the Central Review Committee for that programme together with FÁS to decide what role the job centre might play in the company to be set up to manage the Ballymun pilot project.
In the final analysis, the decision on FÁS involvement in the Ballymun Job Centre is a day-to-day matter for FÁS.
(Limerick East): May I ask the Minister if he envisages the job centre playing an ongoing role, even though that role might be modified, or is it one of the options open to FÁS to close it down completely? If that is an option, has any discussion taken place about the redeployment of staff employed in the centre?
I was not involved in the establishment of the centre. It was set up in 1986 and Fine Gael, who were in Government at that time, were involved in the initial funding. I will continue to support the centre which is in an area of particularly high unemployment. This centre which undertakes an active part in the local community is one of the job centres which has impressed me. The Jesuit Order, who work and live in the area, and business people in town are actively involved in the centre. While the centre is doing a good job, we have to ensure that its work is integrated into the schemes being run by FÁS. I have no difficulty with the centre which I believe will play a major role in new company.