Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

I am replying to this matter on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Ó Cuív. I thank the Deputy for raising it. The Department delivers a front-line service through a network of 62 local offices and 62 branch offices and the service in Portlaoise is delivered by a branch office. Branch offices are operated by private individuals on a contract for service basis. The terms of these contracts specify a requirement to provide suitable accommodation and to maintain adequate staffing levels to enable the transaction of social welfare services.

The main services provided by the branch office include jobseeker's payment, one-parent family payment and an information service. All decisions on branch office claims are currently made in the parent local office.

The Department is conscious of the need to ensure that an appropriate level of service is offered so that all its customers can have their business transacted in an efficient and timely manner. Portlaoise, in common with all branch offices has dealt with a very significant increase in the number of persons registering as unemployed and this has naturally led to an increased demand for services.

The Department regularly reviews the arrangements for delivering services in the area served by branch offices. The branch manager in Portlaoise has notified the Department of his intention to retire in July 2010. In such circumstances consideration is given to the possible retention of the branch office service, the opening of a departmentally staffed office or the relocation or amalgamation of services, taking account of local factors, including accommodation, lead in times and other issues.

In the circumstances and in order to ensure service continuity in Portlaoise, the Department decided to advertise the branch manager position on the basis of a five-year contract. Simultaneously the Department will proceed to open a departmental control office in Portlaoise. The primary function of a control office, which is staffed by departmental staff, is to decide on claims taken in the branch offices reporting to it. The Department plans to have the branch offices in Portlaoise, Portarlington and Rathdowney report to the proposed new control office in Portlaoise. This approach, which should improve customer services in County Laois, will be kept under review.

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