Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I take the point that the Department of Social and Family Affairs has an increased workload as a result of the unfortunate rise in unemployment, particularly over the past 12 months. That point is known to all of us as constituency Members in so far as we have dealt with social welfare claims.

Some 365 staff have been transferred from other Departments to the Department of Social and Family Affairs and further transfers will be required. Deputy Gilmore has outlined to me some of the problems in his constituency regarding the sick leave of community welfare officers. I do not know the specific details. As the Deputy knows, there has been a long-standing industrial relations issue regarding the transfer of community welfare officer staff from the HSE to the Department of Social and Family Affairs, despite many attempts to address this on everyone's behalf. Bringing this process to a successful conclusion will greatly assist with the management of the situation, quite apart from addressing the extra pressures people are experiencing due to changed circumstances.

Special dedicated units have been established by the Minister, on her direction, to deal solely with claims, improve the throughput and reduce assessment and waiting times. An appointment system is in place in some offices and it is being rolled out nationally over time to assist people in avoiding queues. The Minister is aware of the need for a dignified effort by everybody to assist those who have to make social welfare claims.

I take the point that some people never believed it probable they would be dependent on social welfare payments during their careers. This issue, including the need to have more staff in the Department, is being dealt with as a matter of priority by the Minister. I will have to check the specific community welfare officer issues raised by the Deputy and revert to him on why there may be a problem with the officers' replacement.

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