Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

Deputy Hanafin is the Minister and if the delay is unacceptable, it means she is not doing her job and ensuring it is dealt with. Does she realise that not getting jobseeker's allowance or benefit pushes families into an almost inescapable poverty trap? They fall behind with ESB, gas and telephone payments. They also fall behind with mortgage repayments, car loans and credit union loans. They are stuck in that cycle. They can go cap in hand and look for a supplementary welfare allowance, but they want the proper allowance and it is up to the Minister to ensure they can get it within an acceptable timeframe.

The budgetary changes announced by the Minister last week will lead to even more bureaucracy within the social welfare system. When will we see an acceptable timeframe in which these services will be delivered?

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