John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is concerning that this process is being undertaken so quietly. No information has been given on this subject. The Minister has not ruled out any prospect of job losses in Intreo offices. She needs to put on the record a clarification of whether there will be job losses because of this new model and she needs to state that clearly. I state that because concerns have been expressed about potential reductions in staff numbers. I would like a yes-no answer from the Minister to that question.

There is also concern regarding a reduction in standards for customers. At present, someone can go into an Intreo office, make an application for a payment and, in some cases, get a decision there and then. The application is processed on the day. Under these new proposals, the back office could be anywhere and the processing of applications could take any length of time. That breakdown in communication with the customer is a cause of concern and that matter also requires a response from the Minister.

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