Cyprian Brady (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

As one of the Dublin eejits who worked in the employment exchanges back in the 1980s, at which time they were under severe pressure, I can appreciate the viewpoints on both sides of the counter. Those behind the counter have a particularly difficult job to do and are under severe pressure while those on the other side find going into an employment exchange in the first place traumatic, as the Minister stated. Everybody must accept in this crisis that every effort must be made to protect the most vulnerable in society. All sections of society must adapt and adjust as we proceed.

Over the past decade, we have managed to make improvements, particularly to our welfare system. We have managed to increase payments and improve the service provided by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The dramatic and rapid increase in claimants we have witnessed recently is probably unprecedented. Our population is growing continuously and immigrants came here to work when work was available. We had one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe, if not in the world. These issues must be taken into account.

The Minister has alluded to the increase in the number on the live register. In February 2008, there were approximately 190,000 thereon but this number had increased by 165,000, or 87%, by the end of February 2009. This is an unprecedented and rapid increase. A welfare system must adjust and cannot just be changed over night. Staff, management and structures must adapt and the Department of Social and Family Affairs is probably one of the best Departments in this regard, particularly in terms of its use of technologies. This represents a significant change over recent years.

It is a highly traumatic experience for a person to have to sign on in an employment exchange after losing a job, which in many cases might have been held for the preceding ten or 15 years. The Department has, for some time, been trying to process such claims as efficiently and quickly as possible.

I remember when there were two or three main offices for signing on in the centre of Dublin. People had to travel to them from the suburbs. There are now local offices throughout the country providing a service. In many cases, they are connected with many other local services, not just those associated with the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

An increasing number will fall into arrears on loans and mortgage repayments. This side of the House has been conscious of this, particularly since the economic downturn. I understand discussions are under way and mandatory new rules — on mortgage mediation, for instance — will be introduced by the Government shortly to ease the fears of those who are afraid of losing their homes. The new rules will affect all mortgage providers, including the sub-prime lenders, to which other Members have referred.

The system itself will have to adjust to the rapid increase in demand for social welfare. The staff of the Department of Social and Family Affairs are doing so but, unfortunately, those who must now avail of the services of the Department must do so also. There have been changes and we now face a different, challenging set of circumstances. We must ensure that those most in need are provided with the services they need as quickly and efficiently as possible.

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