COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

MOTION NO. 2

MOTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

Cathaoirleach’s Business

"That this Committee, noting the number of occasions in recent years that it has asked the Manager to write to the Minister for Social Protection, and the Minister for State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, on the matter, expresses its disappointment that no progress appears to have been achieved in securing and opening a building to serve adequately as a Social Welfare Office for Lucan, and noting that there is no LES office in Lucan, and no local FAS service, reiterates its demand that Government address this deficit which causes problems for those Lucan residents seeking training and employment, including self-employment opportunities, once again requests the Manager to write to the Minister for Social Protection, including with the correspondence the text of this Motion and the Manager's Report with and a reference to the serious concerns of the local Councillors with the neglect of Lucan, with a population of over 45 000 people, in providing essential facilities and services."

REPORT:

The Council has written to the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, O.P.W. Headquarters, on a number of occassions in connection with securing a premises to serve as a Social Welfare Office for Lucan. The most recent reply received is as follows:

"I can confirm that my officials are working closely with the Department of  Social Protection to progress a number of priority new and expanded Social Welfare Office at locations throughout the Country, including one for the Lucan area. The proccess of identifying a suitable premises to meet the needs of the Department of Social Protection in the Lucan area is ongoing."

Arising from a discussion at the October Lucan ACM, the Council again requested an update in relation to actions taken by the Office of Public Works to identify and lease/purchase premises suitable to serve as a Social Welfare Office for the Lucan Area. No further response has been received.  If the Motion is approved the concerns expressed in the Motion will be relayed to the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works and when a reply is received the Committee will be notified accordingly.