Vol. 502 No. 3
105 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding being made available from her Department for the continuation of the local employment service offices; the number of offices which operate nationwide; the number of people who are employed both part-time and full-time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7732/99]
The 1999 Estimate for my Department includes provision of £14 million for the operation of the local employment service, LES. Partnerships, FÁS and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs also contribute to the LES either through the provision of staff or through direct financial contributions.
Currently there are 18 LES areas, 16 partnerships and two non-partnership areas, and the service is being set up in seven new partnership areas. In the 18 existing LES areas there are 98 centres and contact points providing intensive mediation services to the long-term unemployed and other socially excluded groups to assist them access employment. The number of LES centres and contact points reflects the outreach nature of the LES with the service being provided at local level within disadvantaged communities.
Currently there are 263 full-time and 14 part-time staff employed by the LES in the 18 areas. There are up to a further 37 staff employed in LES jobs clubs.
At the moment seven new areas are recruiting staff and establishing contact points which will mean that the number of LES offices and staff will increase over the coming number of months as the service becomes operational in these areas.
I intend to bring proposals to Government shortly which provide for a closer alignment of the LES and the FÁS employment service. This will ensure that optimal use is made of the substantial resources being invested in the LES and in the FÁS employment service and to improve the service being provided to assist the long-term unemployed and other disadvantaged groups return to the labour market.
