Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy's first question is one I also asked. All of the issues have been resolved. There were some technical issues but they have been resolved. I have provided the information to the Deputy. About 40% of the staff turnover was related to decentralisation where staff transferred to another area. I certainly do not want any issues relating to decentralisation, which is substantial within my Department, to have any effect on customers in terms of the delivery of the services they require. We will try to ensure — and the staff is committed to this — that such upheaval will not cause the type of delays to which the Deputy referred. I am glad this issue was resolved very quickly. All the outstanding claims are foreign based and relate to information from the individuals or the institutions in the other countries. Until we get that information we cannot finalise the payment. However, it will be backdated so that there is no loss of money to the individual.

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