Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I compliment the Minister on the many reforms she has introduced in the social welfare system over the past 18 months. Significant amounts have been taken in as a result of tackling fraud in the system and I am sure the Minister will agree there is a long road to go and more to be done in that regard. I compliment her on the JobBridge programme and she should be complimented in many other areas. However, we all dwell on the problems in the system. I will relay many of the issues raised on the Order of Business over the past number of weeks. The issue of FLAC and the independent appeals system has been raised. I thought the entire system was independent but the Minister will address that in her reply.

The long delays in processing various allowances is a problem. The delay in processing carer's allowance and invalidity applications is almost 12 months. Additional staff have been taken on and community welfare officers are now under the ambit of Social Protection but I agree that if there is need to take more staff in that area, it should be done to address the delays because the vast majority applying for these benefits are bona fide applicants and they should be dealt with speedily.

I also compliment the Minister on the report she commissioned on pensions. She is seeking suggestions in this area over the next three months. Many Members raised this on the Order of Business earlier and they would like an input into that. I hope, therefore, that the Minister will come to the House to address the issue at a later date.

The Minister for Health has received proposals from Senator Kelly, which he also sent to me, to use people on community employment schemes to provide home help services but I doubt there will be a rush of people on social welfare benefits to take up community employment schemes for an additional ¤25 a week.

I finally refer to the old chestnut of children's allowances. The reason they could not be taxed previously was the incompatibility of the IT systems in the Department with those of Revenue and other Departments. Has this been rectified? Is there light at the end of the tunnel? What is the situation in this regard? I wish the Minister well.