asked the Minister for Labour (a) the number of persons registered for employment at the National Manpower Office, Northside, Dublin; (b) the number of vacancies notified and filled from that office during the last six months; and (c) the number of vacancies notified and filled for persons in the age group 18-21.

: At the end of January 1983, there were 15,376 persons, including job changers, registered for employment with the Northside (Coolock) National Manpower Office. In the six months to the end of January 1983, 1,131 vacancies were notified to the Coolock office and 1,352 vacancies were filled by the office.

Records of vacancies notified and filled are not kept on an age basis and it is not therefore possible to give the numbers asked for in the 18-21 age group. However, in addition to the placements already mentioned, the Coolock office placed 71 persons on AnCO community youth training programmes and 199 young people under the work experience programme during the period in question. The majority of these placements are of persons in the 18-21 age group.

: In view of the very serious numbers of unemployed in that area, 15,000 plus, and considering that a little over 1,000 vacancies have been notified to the Coolock office and a similar number have obtained employment, is the Minister satisfied that the Coolock office is reaching its full potential and if the employers on the north side of the city are fully conscious of the need to get in touch with the Manpower Service when employment arises?

: I have no criticism to make of the operation of the Coolock office. The numbers mentioned in my reply are serious and I shall communicate with the Manpower office to see if anything extra can be done in that area.

: The Minister obviously agrees that the unemployment situation is very serious and I hope he will take steps to see if something can be done to improve the situation so far as the Manpower Service is concerned.

: I have given the Deputy an undertaking that I will take up this problem with the National Manpower Service.

24.

asked the Minister for Labour (a) the basis on which persons are sent for interview for vacancies which are notified to the National Manpower Service and (b) if an up-to-date register of unemployed persons seeking employment is maintained in the National Manpower offices.

: The main function of the National Manpower Service is to place job-seekers in employment. In carrying out this function the service has been concentrating on helping unemployed persons, including young people seeking their first job, to find employment, training or work experience. The service gives priority to the unemployed when sending persons for interview to employers who have notified vacancies.

With reference to (b) of the question, the National Manpower Service maintains, on an office basis, an up-to-date register of persons seeking employment through the service. It is working towards a situation where all persons in receipt of unemployment benefit and assistance will be registered.

: Is the Minister aware that a large number of unemployed persons have been registered with the National Manpower Service for three or four years and during that time have never been notified of a single vacancy or attended an interview? I am concerned to establish what type of procedure is adopted by the National Manpower Service when sending unemployed persons for interviews as vacancies are notified.

: I would be concerned if what the Deputy said is true——

: It is true.

: ——and if that is the position I will initiate an immediate investigation into the situation.

: I assure the Minister it is true because a number of my constituents have come to me saying they have been registered with the National Manpower Service for a number of years but have never received any notification from them. I hope the Minister will look into that.