Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Since May 2008, 357 extra staff have been assigned to local offices, new central support units and the Department's inspectorate. Of these, some 200 have been assigned since January 2009 as follows: 16 social welfare inspectors were assigned in March 2009 to various locations around the country to undertake means testing and other work associated with processing claims for the jobseekers allowance - I gave a more up to date figure in this respect earlier; 68 posts have been assigned to date for local office central support units in six locations; some 116 posts have been assigned to local offices around the country, some of which have been filled by temporary staff pending the assignment of permanent staff. The position will be kept under review and whatever additional resources are required will be allocated.

A number of measures have also been taken to improve the processes used in processing claims. These include the introduction of a streamlined process for people who had a claim in the previous two years, an improved procedure for claimants moving from jobseeker's benefit to jobseeker's allowance, fast-tracking of certain categories of claims, on-line availability of application forms for the jobseeker schemes and new arrangements to include claims from casual employees to be processed in a more timely fashion.

One of the most significant initiatives introduced recently aimed at reducing queuing and waiting times involves the customer attending the office by appointment at which time the claim is taken and decided. This system has already been introduced in 20 offices and the Department is finalising plans to extend the initiative to a further 20 offices.

I assure the House that every effort is being made to ensure that claims are processed as quickly as possible. However, anyone who is under financial pressure while awaiting a decision on their claim for a jobseeker's payment can apply for supplementary welfare allowance.

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