Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have already covered it. I do not know where the Deputy is going here on this question. We have put in extra staff to resolve the problem. The direct answer to the Deputy's question is that the claims, in accordance with departmental standards, are processed within 12 weeks on average during December 2017.

Of course we recognise that there are problems. There are people who, in filling in the forms, make mistakes. That is life. That is the way it is. We are changing the application form as well, to modernise it and make it consumer-friendly.

We are also investing a lot of funding in services for the carers. We are sending out a strong message here today, unlike the Deputy, that we support the carers in this country and we are doing our best to support the carers. That is something that is important to the State.

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