Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is also important to note that people claiming supports under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme tend to interact with the Department only on an occasional basis. This may be where, for example, they seek an exceptional needs payment or claim additional supports such as rent or mortgage interest supplement, which are usually reviewed once to twice yearly. Staffing needs for all areas within the Department are continuously reviewed to ensure the best use is made of all available resources with a view to providing an efficient service to those who rely on the schemes operated by the Department and that the services provided are reconstituted, where necessary, to meet the changing needs of society.

See this speech in context