Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Clearly, the Department will examine staffing in local offices that are experiencing problems. I must be fair to offices throughout the country. The Deputy asked about offices with the longest processing times. The Secretary General has also been examining management issues and so forth because these must be considered from an operations perspective, with a view to ensuring people are looked after.

On the new initiatives, Dundalk introduced an appointment system which has worked well. Initially there were some objections from the unions, but then they came on board. That initiative is hugely successful and is being rolled out to 16 different offices. People go in and are given an appointment time and hatch number and told what documentation they need. The result is no queues and the protection of the dignity of applicants. It also ensures staff can build in lunch and break periods. This works very well.

The other initiatives mentioned could work very well in the interest of both the staff and the public. That is the reason I hope the CPSU will agree to them.

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