Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are a number of ways this can be done, which I explained previously. People can call into the social welfare Intreo office, pick up the telephone and ring us or apply online. If someone needs a member of staff, we will go out to his or her house. Those are all options. As I said, it is working because the number of claims waiting to be processed is down. There are two weeks in hand and there is a two-week turnaround time. If it is urgent, however, it is genuinely dealt with on the same day.

In terms of domestic violence, I changed that process. We can provide a rent supplement to people who are victims of domestic violence by way of a referral from Tusla and other designated organisations. This referral, along with the completed grant supplement application form, will allow victims of domestic violence a fast-track approval and screening process with a simplified means test to access a rent supplement for an initial three-month period. They can get that straight away for three months. That was something I was pleased we were able to introduce because that is a very difficult place for people to find themselves. An exceptional needs payment to cover a deposit and the first month's rent can also be provided promptly to a person in this situation. If the Deputy wants to give me the specific details, I will follow up on why it was not received immediately by that individual.

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