Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to hear the online option is been progressed. This will be important. It is something I have raised with the Minister previously. It would be welcome because it may allow a person to ensure every bit of information is uploaded and provided before an application is submitted. There would then not be an over and back between the Department and the applicant. In September I was alarmed when I was advised that at that point 95% of applications were being processed within five to eight weeks. That is far too long. It is welcome to hear that 63% of applications are being processed within four weeks. Obviously the times have improved and I welcome this but we are still looking at another 37% that are not processed within four weeks. Four weeks is a long time to wait if people have a bill or need to replace something in their homes.

I have raised with the Minister many times the issue of community welfare officers. I understand they are in Intreo centres which can be a number of miles away from people living in rural areas. Recently the local family resource centre raised with me the issue of domestic violence survivors. People in these situations are very vulnerable with regard to getting to an Intreo centre and do not have the option of walking into a local service to see a community welfare officer as they were able to previously.

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