Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The fact the Minister of State has pointed out there is a variety of experience and that some local authorities are excellent, indicates some are not. For example, the in-house language used in this regard often needs to be interpreted. Some of this has to do with ensuring a uniform standard around the country. This may be an issue of training.

There is also a vast difference in the ratio of staff to population in different areas. Let Meath and Limerick be taken as an example. In Meath, where there are approximately 30,000 extra people on authority lists, there are 620 staff. The combined Limerick local authorities have 1,075 staff. Clearly, if one has 400 extra staff and is dealing with a smaller population, one can provide a better service. This situation is replicated around the country. Therefore, sometimes there is a good reason staff around the country do not take the same approach. They simply do not have the time. The people who fall through the cracks in these situations are often those who are least able to cope with the bureaucracy.

See this speech in context