Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I thank the Minister of State for her response, but I wish to point out a number of issues with her reply. While her earlier comments were correct, the terminology used, "were transferred", "were not interrupted" and "was approximately", was past tense. Given that this issue will be two years old next month, the 2007 figure of 350 will probably have doubled by now.

According to the Minister of State, it is "open to people residing in the Dunmanway catchment area who become unemployed to make a claim for jobseekers benefit or allowance at any of our offices convenient to them". The essence of my contribution is that it is not convenient for them. She also stated: "The Department is satisfied that the service being provided to people from the Dunmanway catchment area meets service requirements and there are no immediate plans to open an office in the town." While I accept this, the genesis of the issue is the reopening of an old office, not the creation of a new service.

I thank the Minister of State for taking the debate, but I will continue to raise the issue. Given its local importance, I cannot allow it to be fobbed off. However, I appreciate the Minister of State's reply.