Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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384. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans for Intreo offices in west Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31112/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware the Pathways to Work document states that the introduction of the new Intreo service is a multi-annual project. The first 44 Intreo offices are now open and the remaining offices will be rolled out to all of the Department’s existing local offices by the end of 2014.

The Department of Social Protection provides income support services to unemployed customers in the West Cork area through branch offices in Bandon, Bantry, Clonakilty, Kinsale and Skibbereen; through control offices in Bantry and Carrigaline and on a clinic basis in Castletownbere.

Activation supports are provided through an employment services office in Bantry, and via employment services clinics in Bandon, Castletownbere, Clonakilty, Dunmanway, Kinsale and Skibbereen. The Department also operates Community Welfare Service clinics throughout these areas.

In addition, as part of its Employer Engagement activities, officers of the Department liaise wherever possible with employers in the West Cork area who may have job opportunities accessible to our jobseeker clients.