Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

The address of the new office is 18 Mill Street, Balbriggan. Staff and a local office manager are in the process of transferring to the new office.

Work started on alterations to the premises on 6 April 2010 and a ten week period has been allowed for structural work and fitting out. It is expected that the new premises will open at the beginning of July 2010. I may visit it because I have a family connection with that part of the world. Eighteen staff are in the process of being assigned to the new office and staffing will be kept under review.

The new office in Balbriggan will provide a full service. New claims for jobseeker's benefit, jobseeker's allowance and one-parent family payments will be taken and decided. However, the temporary premises is not adequate to provide for signing and options for this function are being investigated by the Department at present.

In preparation for the move to Balbriggan, staff assigned to the new office have moved to the North Cumberland Street local office because there is more room there for staff and claims, as well as better facilities for staff training. New claims for jobseekers payments and the review and maintenance of claims for Balbriggan will continue be processed in Coolock for the immediate future. Once the new premises is available for occupation it will start providing services to Balbriggan customers.

See this speech in context