Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

For most of the payments, if not all, the processing times are close to target and they are paid in four to eight weeks or perhaps a little longer sometimes. It is increasingly my experience that there are delays. The social welfare appeals office is obviously an independent office that is funded through the Department but the timescale for those appeals can be considerable. Is the resourcing of that office something to which the Minister has paid attention?

I previously raised the following issue with the Minister. She replied to a parliamentary question I asked to confirm that 5,631 working family claimants are also claiming the one-parent family payment. That is 12.4% of working family payment claimants, which is considerable. I again highlight the fact that as soon as their youngest child turns 12, they will lose that payment. It might be useful to clarify that we are talking about a considerable number of families who are potentially about to experience that cliff edge. I previously raised the issue with the Minister and she said it was something to which she would give consideration. The budget for this year has come and gone and that cliff edge has not been addressed. I want to get her remarks in that regard because those affected are down by a considerable amount, at well over €100 per month, as soon as their youngest child turns 12. That is an area of concern that needs to be addressed because it is a potential poverty trap.