Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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152. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in providing services in a town (details supplied) following a meeting with local representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2276/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Social Protection delivers its services in County Monaghan through our network of offices including Branch Offices, Community Welfare Clinics, Activation Services, Social Welfare Inspectorate Services, Community Employment Services, Local Employment Services (LES) and the JobPath Programme. Provision of information and access to income supports is provided by the Departments Community Welfare Service, which holds a weekly clinic in Ballybay. In addition the Department funds the Local Employment Service and the Employability Service, both of which have offices in Ballybay and provide valuable support to the people of Monaghan.

The Department thus continues to provide a high standard of services to the people of county Monaghan and has successfully implemented many positive changes in recent years to enhance these services. Over the coming years our wide ranging programme of organisational development will continue to support our efforts to deliver and improve our services, support economic growth and promote employability in county Monaghan.

As discussed at the meeting with local Oireachtas Members and Councillors from the Ballybay-Clones Municipal District on Wednesday 5 October 2016, it is not proposed to open an Intreo Centre in Ballybay or to relocate one of the Department’s agencies there. I will however continue to be fully supportive of any initiatives that will boost employment opportunities - be they from the public or private sector - for people in the Ballybay area in the future.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.