Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of the 300 new staff sought by her to process welfare claims who have been transferred to welfare offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23147/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Department has identified the need for over 300 posts to assist with processing claims and other essential functions in relation to the increasing Live Register.

In recent months the Department has established 5 Local Office Support Units, comprising of 49 posts, in Sligo, Carrick-on-Shannon, Roscommon, Finglas and Dublin city. A further 16 Social Welfare Investigators have been assigned to undertake means testing and other work associated with processing claims for Jobseeker's allowance. In addition, some 90 temporary staff have been appointed to Local Offices pending the assignment of permanent staff.

Work is continuing on sourcing the additional posts from within the Department and from other Government Departments. These posts are in addition to extra posts identified during 2008 and now in place to deal with the Live Register.