Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware, the RSA on behalf of the State provides oversight for the specific contract. I say clearly that the failure to deliver the public service according to the wait time is unacceptable. We have been clear with the RSA and, by extension, with Applus on that. That is why contract mechanisms have been triggered and why there is a process around the imposition of penalties, which are disputed. I agree the solution is around capacity and increasing recruitment, which is happening. The Department is providing every support to accelerate recruitment in Ireland, the EU and outside the EU, when it comes to work permits, and to accelerate the numbers.

It is factually correct to say capacity has improved, having gone from 25,000 on average per week up to 35,000. There is peak demand in these two or three months. We have been given a clear assurance that by the end of June it will improve but it is still not acceptable. We have reflected that clearly. They are not fulfilling their contract, as outlined, for a 12-day average waiting period.

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