Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

What contingency plans will be in place in the event of social welfare offices being closed this afternoon? The Tánaiste is aware there are already massive backlogs of applications in social welfare offices throughout the country. I was contacted by somebody this morning who applied for the family income supplement in December and has not even been assigned to an inspector despite the fact that we are approaching the end of March. We have seen the fiasco at the passport office and this will be replicated throughout the country in social welfare offices unless contingency arrangements are put in place.

The Tánaiste indicated the new Minister responsible for social protection would be involved in the divvying up of FÁS-----

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