Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Obviously, there would be a throughput of new people. I agree with the Deputy there are unacceptable delays in some offices. Those offices are being examined by the Department with a view to establishing what additional staffing, overtime or temporary staff are required. A high level review of staffing generally is being finalised and should conclude next week. Additional posts have been allocated and there is an increase over this period last year in the number of people working in this service.

I am conscious of the fact that any delay can be difficult for the applicant. There is a six-week average processing time for the jobseeker's allowance because it requires a much more in-depth review of people's financial circumstances and a three-week average time for the jobseeker's benefit.

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