Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 157: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on whether it is acceptable that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who applied for jobseeker's allowance in December 2008 has not been awarded payment; and if she will intervene to ensure that the claim is assessed and processed without further delay. [12655/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The person concerned made a claim for Jobseeker's Allowance at Finglas local office on 10 December 2008. His application was forwarded to a social welfare inspector on 17 December 2008 so that an assessment of his means could be conducted. The claim papers are with the inspector. All the required documentation has been received from the person concerned. The present position is that the assessment of means will be completed by the middle of the week. The claim will then be submitted to a deciding officer for decision before the end of the week and the person will be advised of the outcome. The reason for the delay in conducting the means assessment is that the Live Register has increased significantly in recent months in the Finglas office. The absence of an inspector due to illness also contributed to the delay. All efforts are being made to ensure cases are dealt with as quickly as possible. If a person feels that he or she has insufficient means to meet his or her needs, it is open to him or her to apply for supplementary welfare allowance. This allowance is administered by the Health Services Executive through the community welfare officers at local health centres.