Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

I wonder if the Minister knows how well the new system of appointment is working. I have heard that some of the appointments are running over resulting in people having to wait a lot longer than expected.

Of the 357 extra staff, how many took up contract positions which were not being renewed? Has an additional 357 staff been appointed or were 357 permanent staff put into this area? Also, how many vacancies exist in the Department that need to be filled to ensure social welfare offices are fully operational and able to cope with the enormous queues at social welfare offices every morning, of the type we experienced in the 1980s?

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