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

I thank the Minister for her response. It is always welcome to see the number of applications approved and being paid out rising. That means that people are seeking support and getting it, which is important. Can the Minister give us any information on the number of applications refused? I had asked that in a parliamentary question but all I got back was the number approved. It is important that we have those data. Data on exceptional needs and urgent needs payments refusals were not previously collected but then started to be collected.

It is important we have this information as well because we need to make sure that people are getting the support they need. The Minister confirmed last week that 70% of applications are finalised within four weeks. A month is a long time to wait. I do not believe it is fair to put it on all on the individual and say, "Well, they do not send on the full information". Clearly there are issues there. Will the Minister provide an update on staffing? I know that recruitment is under way, which is welcome.

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