Ms Niamh O'Donoghue:

While it is only a number of months old, there is no doubt that the protocol is in a much more mature state in Dublin and, more recently, Cork. There are certainly increases taking place in the level of rent supplement payments across the country. In the west, including Galway, we have 28 instances where there have been increases in payment, having regard to the particular needs of individuals. If the Deputy is asking whether community welfare officers are aware of that, the answer is "Yes".