Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to temper expectations somewhat. The 67,000 letters will not issue on one day because we have not taken on 15,000 temporary staff to facilitate such a feat. Rather, they will issue over several weeks. I ask Deputies for their assistance in terms of assuring their constituents who have received a letter when others have not that the letters will be issued to all. Assessing and addressing this anomaly had to be provided for out of the staffing fund for this year. Through certain savings, we have managed to secure funds for temporary staff but not a huge number thereof. There is a sufficient number to enable the Department to carry out the reviews, issue the letters and stick to the timeline set out, namely, that each of the 67,000 people affected will receive their little backlog and move onto their new payments before the end of the first quarter of next year. Nothing has changed. Timelines have not slipped. The decision on whether the legislation is included as an amendment in the social welfare Bill or progressed as a stand-alone Bill will not impact on the timelines. It might be easier to progress as a stand-alone Bill and we are considering that but the decision will not impact on the dates for the payments. However, aspects of this will be done on a phased basis because a significant number of people are affected and the staff of the Department, although great, are not wonder women and men.

Given the common travel area agreements and the reciprocal arrangements between Ireland and the United Kingdom in particular, the arrangements will be identical for those living outside or inside the State. We want to give people the fullest possible payment based on the contributions they made in Ireland or any state with which we have reciprocal arrangements.

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