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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Jun 1995

Vol. 454 No. 3

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Services.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

164 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare the facilities available for the provision of social welfare services in County Wicklow; if he has satisfied himself with such facilities; the proposals, if any, he has to develop, upgrade or enhance these facilities; the time scale associated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10702/95]

There are two social welfare local offices and three social welfare branch offices servicing County Wicklow. The social welfare local offices situated in Bray and Arklow provide a full information service to customers as well as dealing with all unemployment payment claims and the acceptance and registration of disability benefit claims. The branch offices in Baltinglass, Blessington and Wicklow town which are managed under a contract arrangement by branch managers for the Department provide an unemployment payment service for unemployed persons who are resident in those areas. A job facilitation service is provided for persons registered as unemployed at these five offices by staff from the Department's employment support services section.

In addition there are social welfare inspectors based in Bray, Wicklow and Arklow who investigate social welfare claims and carry out PRSI inspections at employer premises. They also provide an information service on designated days. Inspectors based in Athy, Naas, Newbridge and Tallaght provide these services for the west Wicklow area.

The social welfare office in Bray which at present operates from two locations is not considered suitable for present needs and is due to be replaced. In this regard the Office of Public Works is involved in discussions with a developer about the provision of a new office. While it is not possible at this stage to give a definite date for the opening of a new office it is expected that significant progress in this matter will be made soon.

The service provided in County Wicklow is considered to be satisfactory. The Department's aim is to provide the best possible locally based service and in this regard the services in County Wicklow will be kept under review in the light of developments generally.

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