Finglas and Ballymun employment exchange
The Minister said a new exchange at Mellowes Road, Finglas, is planned to serve Finglas, Ballymun and Glasnevin, though completion would take at least two years once resources are available. He declined to acquire a second site but said access concerns would be examined where another exchange would be easier to reach.
(Dublin North-West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider setting up employment exchange offices at Finglas and Ballymun, Dublin, which would relieve the present financial hardships suffered by the large number of unemployed people in these areas who have to travel to Dublin city at present.
11.
Comment on this
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the hardship and expense which are being inflicted on people in the Finglas/Ballymun/Glasnevin areas, Dublin, who attend at the employment exchange; and the position regarding the long standing proposal to locate an employment exchange in that area with a view to offering some relief to them.
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together.
My Department have plans to provide a full employment exchange service for the Finglas area and a site has been acquired at Mellowes Road, Finglas. Plans for the new premises are proceeding with the Office of Public Works but it is not yet possible to say when the new service will be operational. It is proposed that the new employment exchange at Finglas will also serve the Ballymun-Glasnevin area.
Comment on this
The site has only just been acquired and planning permission has not yet been sought. It is a 1.5 acre site which will take the employment exchange, the social welfare office and the National Manpower Service. Given the necessary resources it will take at least two years.
Comment on this
(Dublin North-West): Is the Minister aware of the difficulty which would be encountered by people living in Ballymun in getting to that building? They would be worse off than at present because there is not a direct bus link. Would the Minister agree to acquire a further site in the Ballymun area as there is scope for a similar exchange there?
Comment on this
I have no proposals to acquire another site in that general area. When this building is complete it will provide a fully comprehensive service rather than a fragmented service.
Comment on this
(Dublin North-West): Will the Minister reconsider the matter of people from Ballymun having to go to Finglas? They would be better off going into the city centre.