Vol. 464 No. 1
20 Mr. Flood asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will have arrangements made for the immediate establishment of a local employment service in view of the very serious level of unemployment in the Clondalkin, Dublin 22 area as requested by the Clondalkin partnership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5961/96]
As I already informed the House in reply to Questions Nos. 233 and 235 on 12 March 1996, my plans for 1996 are that the local employment service should be established and consolidated in 14 key areas. These consist of the 12 original partnership areas and two non-partnership areas — Clare and Kildare. I believe it is preferable to assess the progress of these 14 areas before extending the service countrywide. What we learn about the current phase will be of benefit to other areas in establishing the service in the future.
I am aware of the special circumstances in the Clondalkin area, in particular the relationship to the Tallaght Partnership and the operation of the FÁS pilot employment action centre. I am currently considering how best the Clondalkin partnership can be accommodated in the establishment of the current phase of the local employment service.
