Vol. 504 No. 5
58 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the recent report of the Combat Poverty Agency which found that nine of 11 areas in the country identified as unemployment blackspots were located in Dublin; the steps, if any, she will take to deal with the continuing problem of long-term unemployment in areas of Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12218/99]
I am aware of the unemployment problem and particularly the long-term unemployment problem in certain parts of Dublin.
The disadvantaged areas of Dublin have been designated as such and have the benefit of active partnership companies addressing the problems. In addition, the Government continues to tackle the problem through a range of other initiatives such as the integrated services project in four particular unemployment blackspots; and active labour market initiatives taken under the auspices of my own Department and FÁS including through the employment action plan, the strengthening and integration of our employment services, the FÁS action plan for the long-term unemployed and the whole gamut of initiatives we announced in the last budget.
In addition, there is a wide range of jobs currently available in the Dublin region and a corresponding range of backup services available to help those most removed from the labour market to progress to a situation where they can rejoin the workforce.
