Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)

The story of the Government's failure is seen in the plight of the countless constituents who come to me and colleagues throughout the State in great distress. Some are waiting to receive carer's benefit, the waiting list for which has increased to 15 weeks since the Government took office. Applicants for disability pensions are facing a 31-week wait before their claims are processed. There are delays of up to a year for applicants awaiting the outcome of social welfare appeals. This Government's abject failure is heard in the stories of people forced to go to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul seeking money to purchase fuel for their houses in gallon drums. These are all the signs of the Government's failure.

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