Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 179: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will support the establishment of a FÁS office in Ashbourne, County Meath to serve the needs of the towns of Ashbourne, Rathoath, Dunshaughlin and Dunboyne in view of the increase in both population and unemployment in this area, and whereby currently people seeking employment advice and support in this area have to travel significant distances to Navan, Finglas or Swords for the purpose of getting such support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3391/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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FÁS, through its Employment Services Office located in Finglas village, provides a comprehensive service five days a week to its clients in Ashbourne and the surrounding area. The Finglas Employment Services Office is located on the main bus route, approximately ten miles from Ashbourne.

In addition, FÁS staff from the Navan Employment Service Office also provide a satellite Employment Services clinic in Ashbourne for a half day on the first and third Wednesday of each calendar month, from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm. This particular FÁS service is located in the HSE Ashbourne Health Centre.

In light of the changing labour market within the North East Region, the FÁS Employment Services management in the North East Region is currently reviewing all Employment Services clinics with a view of providing a more dispersed regional service. This review is taking place within the context of probable budgetary resources.