Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 884: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number signing on the unemployment register in each of the counties Cavan, Monaghan and Louth; the number of local sign on centres in each county, their locations and the status of these facilities; when an assessment was last undertaken at each of these locations to establish if they are suitable to cater for the basic requirements of the growing queue of claimants, and in all weathers; her plans to address inadequacies already highlighted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39009/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Social Welfare Local and Branch Offices have dealt with very significant increases in the number of persons registering as unemployed. As of 23 October 2009 the number of persons signing on the Live Register for Counties Cavan, Monaghan and Louth is 7,018, 6,035 and 16,399 respectively. Details of each centre that persons sign on for Jobseeker payments are set out in the tabular format.

Having regard to the offices concerned, Cavan, Drogheda and Dundalk are Social Welfare Local Offices where accommodation and facilities are a matter for the Department and the Office of Public Works. In the case of Dundalk local office this is a relatively new office with adequate facilities to deal with all service delivery requirements. In the case of Cavan Local Office the office has with effect from 27 October moved to enhanced facilities in Cavan town that meet all service requirements. Renovations are scheduled to take place and be completed in Drogheda Local Office before the end of 2009 which again will lead to enhanced facilities and meet service requirements. In the case of Monagahan, Carrickmacross, Clones, Castleblaney, Ballyconnell and Ardee these are Branch Offices of the Department and are operated on a contract basis. Within the terms of these contracts is the specific requirement to provide adequate staffing and suitable accommodation to enable the transaction of social welfare services including certification for Jobseeker payments. Under the terms and conditions of these contracts the Department regularly reviews the arrangements for delivering services in the area served by Branch Offices. The Department will continue to actively review its service arrangements with these Branch offices and makes changes it considers necessary in that regard.

Under the existing arrangements persons are only required to sign once a month to certify themselves as unemployed at Branch Offices.