James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

The Minister's answer does nothing to address the original priority question, which was why one can get looked after in a matter of ten days in Ballymun, but elsewhere in the country it could take 11 weeks. Before Christmas, I asked the Minister why, knowing that a contract was up with the local provider in Balbriggan, no provision was made for people to claim unemployment benefit when that contract ended. People are being sent to Gardiner Street and Coolock for welfare. Using the citizens advice bureaux as a temporary measure is not delivering for the people of Balbriggan. I might remind the Minister that Balbriggan is a town of 25,000 people, which is strategically designated for growth. I just do not understand it.

In Swords, people must queue in the rain outside a portakabin to claim unemployment benefit. The Minister is not providing for those people and she does not seem to have any plans. She is aware of these situations months in advance yet here we are listening to waffle about what might be happening around the country.

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