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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

North Kerry services and staffing

Summary

Deputy Daly raised unemployment, deprivation and staffing problems in north Kerry alongside community supports and ageing-population pressures. The Taoiseach said the matter would need follow-up, noting a perceived inconsistency between local unemployment and recruitment difficulties.

Unemployment rates in north Kerry are 9% higher than the national average. It is very high on the deprivation index. However, some organisations on the ground are working in the communities, such as the Listowel Family Resource Centre, which provides parenting classes, family supports and community education. The community centre in Listowel is building networks from Ballyheigue across to Knocknagoshel to address the intended rise in population where there will be double the number of people over the age of 65 and quadruple the number of 85-year-olds by 2040. However, there is a problem with recruitment and retention. The community centres state that wages are locked at 2008 or 2009 levels. Will the Taoiseach commit to increasing them to the 2019 voluntary pay guidelines? If he is expanding the family resource centres, will he commit to a minimum core funding of €166,400 so they continue their good work in the community?

Comment on this
Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I might have to come back to the Deputy on that, or ask the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, to come back to him on the issue directly. The Deputy said that unemployment in north Kerry was slightly or somewhat higher than the national average, but at the same time he said there was a crisis in recruiting staff for a service. There is a certain disjoint there-----

Comment on this

There is a loss.

Comment on this
Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

However, we will have to come back to the Deputy on this issue.

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