Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

The main reason is to ensure the management and staff of the particular office are in a position to be able to take it and that the accommodation in that office can facilitate the number of hatches for appointments. It is a straightforward process and will be rolled out.

Some claims, such as benefit claims, are very straightforward which is why they can be done in a week in some places. The system can be checked and if the contributions have been made the person qualifies. People must be trained, however, to make decisions on assistance because so many documents must be considered and so many interests must be taken into account. It is not quite as easy as saying someone can have immediate cover. I do not want to see delays but huge inroads have been made into the backlog.

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