123 Dr. G. FitzGerald asked the Minister for Social Welfare the steps he has taken to ensure that persons attending employment exchanges are accorded privacy when discussing personal details concerning their applications for benefits; and the further action which is proposed in this regard.

I have, in recent years, been engaged in a programme of works aimed at providing new offices, where appropriate, and to replace or refurbish existing offices. The main objective of this programme is to improve facilities and to provide a better and more efficient service for claimants.

In the design of new and refurbished offices particular attention is being paid to the provision of facilities for privacy at new claims reception areas and at points where interviews with applicants are conducted. Since 1986, ten new offices have been opened and extensive refurbishment has been carried out at nine existing offices. Further progress will be made this year with three new offices scheduled to open and refurbishment schemes planned for four existing offices.

I am committed to continuing this programme of improvements in local office accommodation in order to ensure that all offices measure up to a high standard in the quality of facilities available for public and staff alike. In addition, the position at offices where no major work is planned is at present being reviewed to see what immediate improvements in privacy facilities can be made.