The entire staff of the Dublin 12 Local Employment Service (LES) were issued with redundancy notices on Friday 8th May. The Local Employment Service (LES) provides a free employment information and placement service to employers and unemployed jobseekers in the Dublin 12 area.

Pat Dunne (PBPA, Tallaght)

The potential loss of this service at a time when unemployment is at an all time high is an absolute disgrace says Pat Dunne. The redundancy notices were issued by the KWCDT Local Area Partnership. The Partnership is currently in dispute with the goverment funding agency Pobail and The Partnership Board has recently decided to go into voluntary liquidation. Other services affected include The Millennium Partnership Fund for Disadvantage Access to Third Level Education.The objectives of the fund is to support students from disadvantaged areas with regard to retention and participation in Further and Higher Education courses. Pat Dunne who is standing in the fortcoming local elections as a People Before Profit Alliance candidate described this current situation as absolutely crazy. Pat stated that “whatever the cause of this adminstative mess that the people of the Dublin 12 must not be left without these most necessary services.

If you live in either Dublin 12 or D6W and find yourself unemployed or on short time working you will have to endure a wait of over three months to have your claim processed” said Pat Dunne, People Before Profit Alliance.
Pat Dunne revealed details of correspondence he received from the Manager of the SWLO Bishop's Square who stated “unfortunately due to the overwhelming numbers of new claims for Jobseeker's Benefit there is currently a backlog at this office. Your claim will be processed and you will receive notification in due course” In follow up conversations with officials they confirmed to Pat that claims lodged back as far as mid January were still not processed.