Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Sep 1995

Vol. 455 No. 8

Adjournment Debate. - Castletownbere Employment Office Closure.

Mr. J. Walsh

Thank you, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, for allowing me to raise this important issue. It would be hard to gauge the degree of anger and extreme disappointment at the decision to close the branch office in Castletownbere. This office has been in existence since the foundation of the State and is located at the very end of the Beara Peninsula. It is one of the most remote regions in the country and has been designated as a severely handicapped area. There are over 300 people on the dole including small farmers, a number of fishermen and others who cannot find jobs.

We have to listen to a fair amount of lip service about peripherality and cohesion. If there is a way to show in the most callous fashion that one does not mind about these people, it is to close down the dole office. The two staff will be replaced by a computer. What will happen to the unfortunate people who come in from fishing on a Wednesday night and want to sign on for Thursday, Friday and Saturday? Will they talk to the computer in the dole office and say they want a short week? An unfortunate person may be looking for some information. Where are the information centres we were promised would reduce peripherality and the imbalance of the regions?

I fail to understand this extremely harsh decision and I know that if the Minister, Deputy De Rossa, was representing the area, there is no way it would have been taken. I call on the Minister for Social Welfare and the Minister of State, from whom I expect fairer treatment for people in such an outlying, severely handicapped area, to reverse this decision. Not only should they retain the existing staff but they should expand the office and provide people with the information services to which they are entitled. The letter sent out on 14 September stated that in the continuing review of services, in the case of Castletownbere the Minister has decided that the best approach is to close the branch office.

When travelling from Cork to Castletownbere and back, they probably stop at some of the nice restaurants and get expenses to which they are entitled. I am sure if the Minister looks at the file, he will see that the cost of servicing Castletownbere from Cork city will be far more expensive than keeping the people there.

I am mainly concerned about the slap in the face to the people of west Cork. Will the three Deputies from the area take up this matter to reverse this quite outrageous decision?

I look forward to some good news from the Minister of State at the Department of Social Welfare, Deputy Durkan, in this regard.

Minister of State at the Department of Social Welfare (Mr. Durkan)

The closure of the Castletownbere employment office is not a diminution of service. It is an upgrading and improvement of service.

Mr. J. Walsh

The Minister of State should tell his executive that, the next time he goes there.

Mr. Durkan

The service in Castletownbere is provided under contract to my Department by Mr. Cornelius Murphy who has served as branch manager in the area for the past 38 years and is due to retire on 11 October 1995.

In the normal course when a branch manager retires, the Department reviews its arrangements for the delivery of services in the area concerned. The Department has made considerable progress in recent years in modernising and localising its services through the use of technology and changes in its organisational structure. The majority of unemployed people are now paid their weekly entitlements at their local post office and they are required to sign on only once every four weeks. The expansion and development of the information service is another area that has progressed in recent years. This policy continues the policy of previous administrations.

Mr. J. Walsh

That is nonsense.

Mr. Durkan

In line with this move to modernise the delivery of social welfare services and taking account of the particular circumstances and needs of the Castletownbere area, the branch office service will be discontinued when the branch manager retires and an alternative service will be provided. Unemployment benefit recipients in Castletownbere are already receiving their weekly payments at the post office and they are required to sign on only once every four weeks.

Mr. J. Walsh

What about part-time workers?

Mr. Durkan

The Deputy made quite considerable play a moment ago——

(Interruptions.)

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Let us have silence for the Minister.

Mr. Durkan

——about signing on. I emphasise for the information and benefit of the Deputy, that "signing on" takes place only every four weeks. This facility will be introduced for unemployment assistance recipients residing in the area from October this year.

Mr. J. Walsh

Did the scalpel extend to Kildare?

Mr. Durkan

In addition to these changes in "signing on" and pay arrangements, a full social welfare information service will be available in the town one day a week. The social welfare inspector, who is based in Kenmare, will continue to provide a service in the town each Wednesday. The provision of the information office and new signing and payment arrangements for the unemployed will bring the service in the town into line with that which is now available to the majority of social welfare customers. I am satisfied that the new arrangements represent the best approach to the needs of the area. These arrangements will be closely monitored.

Mr. J. Walsh

How many branch offices has the Minister closed in Kildare? Not a single one.

Mr. Durkan

The Deputy did not accurately represent the position. It is as stated in my reply.

Mr. J. Walsh

Deputy Durkan should be ashamed of himself.

Mr. Durkan

I hope the Deputy will not continue to make wild outlandish statements for which there is no basis in fact. He will do the country, and his constituency, a great deal more good by accurately reflecting their views when he finds out what they are.