Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Two issues have not progressed and one initiative started and stopped but has now progressed very successfully in 16 different offices. That is the appointment system and it has the full co-operation of the staff. Staff in our offices throughout the country are genuinely working flat out. This can be seen in their productivity. Some 200,000 claims cleared in one month is extraordinary productivity from staff. The more we can do to support them in their work, which will ultimately support applicants, is our main aim.

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