Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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274. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the population in the catchment area of each Intreo office in the country in tabular form. [60038/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I regret to inform the Deputy that my Department does not have the information requested on the total population in the catchment area of each Intreo centre.

The Department only collates information of the number of customers for each Intreo centre and can provide the Deputy with this information if requested.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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275. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the criteria for deciding to locate an INTREO office in a particular area. [60039/22]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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276. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the criteria for making the decision to close an INTREO office in a particular area. [60040/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 276 together.

In regards to any decisions to open or close an Intreo Centre, there are no explicit criteria specified in making such a decision.

Intreo Centres are a single point of contact for all employment and income supports. The Centres, together with our Branch Offices, are designed to provide a streamlined approach, offering practical, tailored services and supports for jobseekers.

The development and provision of online services means that a growing number of customers, by choosing to avail of the ., are accessing an increasing range of my Department's services without having to post a paper form or call into their local Intreo Centre.

I am satisfied that this arrangement and mix of services best suits the needs of our customers at present.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.