Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if extra staff will be deployed to the social welfare offices in Kilbarrack and Coolock, County Dublin to cope with the increase in social welfare applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14991/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Following on a review of the staffing levels in local offices due to the increased number of claims for jobseeker's payments, an additional 2 staff were assigned to Kilbarrack Local Office and 3 staff to the Coolock office. Coolock Local Office was the parent office for Balbriggan Branch Office up to the time the office closed in late 2008 following the retirement of the Branch Manager. The Department is planning to open a local office in Balbriggan and is working with Office of Public Works to acquire suitable accommodation. An additional 9 staff have been assigned to the Coolock office to deal with the Balbriggan claims as an interim measure until the new office is opened.

It is recognised that the provision of additional staff in itself will not deal with the rising claim load. Since early 2008, we have been reviewing claim forms and all aspects of the work associated with claim processing with a view to streamlining wherever possible. By introducing streamlining initiatives, I am trying to ensure that people are paid as quickly as possible and the process is as easy as it can be for people claiming jobseeker payments.