Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will incorporate the idea of find a worker into all literature and signage at social welfare offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17258/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Department produces a comprehensive range of information leaflets on its schemes and services. These are available in a wide range of outlets across the country, including all Social Welfare Local Offices and Branch Offices, Citizens Information Centres, Post Offices and in other organisations such as local community centres. Where appropriate the leaflets also contain information directing members of the public to services provided by other Government Departments and agencies such as FÁS.

Information on the range of schemes and services administered by the Department is also provided on the Department's website www.welfare.ie. This site links to other Government Departments and agencies. The Department's Employment Action Plan (EAP) is a systematic process whereby people in receipt of Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker's Allowance are referred to FÁS. The purpose is to facilitate access to the range of employment and training services available. The Department will continue to work with FÁS to ensure that these services are availed of to their fullest extent.

The Department's information leaflets and signage or website do not refer to recruitment agencies or any other private sector organisations and there are no plans to do so. Any initiative involving the contracting of a private sector organisation would be advertised in accordance with EU procurement guidelines.