asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware that the placement officer has been absent for the past two months at Mallow National Manpower office, County Cork; and if he will appoint a temporary officer until such time as the permanent officer resumes his duties.

: The Mallow office of the National Manpower Service has provided a service to job seekers and employers in the period about which the Deputy inquires. A placement officer from the Cork regional office attends at the Mallow office with sufficient frequency to ensure that job seekers who call to the office are registered and interviewed and, where possible, matched with vacancies notified to the office. As soon as the placement officer permanently assigned to the Mallow office resumes duty, a full-time service will again be available.

15.