Vol. 495 No. 7
146 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether she has undertaken an evaluation of areas of high unemployment with a view to determining optimum measures to address the issue with specific reference to a time scale; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21963/98]
A number of areas have been identified under indices of poverty and-or unemployment as areas requiring the greatest range of supports in tackling unemployment or other problems.
The 38 partnership areas are an obvious case in point and have a specific role of matching local needs with local development opportunities. The local employment service, operated under the aegis of the partnerships and funded by my Department, has recently been extended from 18 to 25 areas. Both the Departments of Social, Community and Family Affairs and Education and Science operate development and support policies targeted at areas of disadvantage as do a number of other Departments and all local authorities. Most such supports are delivered in a multi-annual context.
I do not believe we need extra data on such areas of disadvantage although it is obviously important that State supports and programmes are delivered in an integrated way.
