Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have had major problems with medical card delivery yet somebody identified a need for a speedy turnaround due to the demands placed on the service. I think the service delivered to the public has improved although not everyone may be happy with the service. Another example is passports, which are always a problem at this time of year. Every Deputy and public representative receive correspondence from people demanding that they intervene so they can get a passport. Last week, I heard the Minister say that he had brought in an additional 200 staff to try to meet the demand for passports. Surely to God, as a performance indicator, we should be able to resolve a staffing problem within the Civil Service or wherever. Earlier I mentioned the huge delays in decisions being made about whether people should be granted a carer's allowance. I acknowledge there were problems in the downturn and the number of civil and public servants was reduced. Where a demand is recognised and a real need has been identified, then we should be able to draft a plan and move people in the same way that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade can do in the passport service, even though there are still complaints about that service.