Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 25: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if there is any planned changes to the locations of local social welfare offices; if she has satisfied herself that considerations of ease of access by local persons have been prioritised and the steps she will take in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5999/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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My Department currently operates a network of 63 local offices throughout the country. These offices are responsible for administering the jobseeker's payments schemes, one parent family payments and employment supports. They also provide a range of support services to assist groups such as the long-term unemployed, lone parents and people with disabilities to return to the active labour market and an information service for the general public.

The significant increase in the live register over several years has placed additional pressures on our local offices in terms of providing a satisfactory service to the public. The Department accepts that some of its buildings are not ideal. My Department is working closely with the Office of Public Work to acquire new local office accommodation in several locations throughout the country. These include Balbriggan, Swords, Mallow, Killarney, Portlaoise, Loughrea, Castlebar, Navan, Newbridge and Bantry. An annual provision of €2.5 million has been included in my Department's capital budget over the next three years to support the OPW in this task.

In choosing a location for a local office, special consideration is given to its proximity to commercial centres and to other Government and public offices, the availability of public transport for customers and the availability of suitable car parking facilities in the area. In addition all the new offices are designed to comply fully with the statutory requirements for disabled access.

My Department is fully aware of the difficulties experienced by some customers in accessing local offices and is continually streamlining its procedures with a view to minimising the number of visits required by customers to process their entitlements. If the Deputy has concerns about particular offices, I will have them examined.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister mentioned that the Department sought to acquire such buildings through the OPW. Will some of these be rented from companies such as Treasury Holdings, which owe the State a great deal of money through NAMA and so on, or will they be purchased outright by the Department?

The Minister made the point that the Department is aware of some of the changes needed. Currently, some social welfare offices have no cover for those exposed to the elements while queueing in inclement weather. In some cases, toilet access is lacking, and there are no seats in some offices. I hope this will be rectified if new offices are purchased.

I ask the Minister to find out whether there are plans to close the Thomas Street social welfare office and move its clients to the office in Bishop's Square, Dublin 8, while most of the existing clients in Bishop's Square who come from the Dublin 12 area are moved to a premises on the Long Mile Road. Changes of this type can be problematic because of access to bus routes and so on. I ask the Department to be mindful that some areas, even those which are close by, may be inaccessible to many people because of changes to Dublin Bus routes.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I have taken a close interest in the works of NAMA and all its complex relationships with property developers, buildings and so on. I will ask the Department if any such arrangements are being made for the acquisition of premises, whether for purchase or lease, but I have not been advised of that. I will make inquiries and pass the information on to the Deputy. As the Deputy knows, property matters in general are handled by the OPW on behalf of the Department. I take into account the Deputy's remarks about people using the services of the Department in buildings without adequate space and so on. This is related to the very large unemployment rate of 14.7%, as announced by the CSO. The Department is anxious to address this issue.

I appreciate that Thomas Street is a suitable location for a social welfare office because it is accessible by so many bus routes, even if the availability of parking is not brilliant. I know people value the Thomas Street offices. I am not aware of a move from Bishop's Square to the Long Mile Road, but I will make inquiries. While the Long Mile Road might be all right for people with cars, there might not be so many accessible bus services.