Cowen to open dole office in native Offaly

IT is, perhaps, a sign of the times — Taoiseach Brian Cowen will today open a new dole office in his native Offaly.

It comes against a backdrop of rising unemployment and a looming recession, with Finance Minister Brian Lenihan making clear yesterday that the Government will not shrink from a tough Budget in December expected to involve targeted cutbacks of €1 billion.

Mr Cowen will officially cut the ribbon on the new, purpose-built Social Welfare Local Office in Castle Buildings in Tullamore at 12.30pm.