John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Some measures have been taken to deal with the crisis across the board. The Minister knows, however, that when somebody applies to the community welfare officer, the matter is at the officer's discretion, in the first instance, and, second, it is means tested. Not everyone will get a penny from the community welfare officer. That is not the solution to the failure within the Department to deal with this situation. Yes, forms have to be simplified but in the majority of cases it is not forms being filled incorrectly that leads to appeals. The Minister did not answer my question about additional staff. A key failure is that there are not enough staff to deal with the level of appeals. Perhaps she will answer that question. In addition, other means must be explored. What are the Minister's views on accelerating the appeals? She referred to simplifying forms and other measures. I would be interested in hearing about them.

See this speech in context