Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 837: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason that there are not more social welfare inspectors employed in the Tuam area of County Galway in view of the backlog of files that are waiting to be looked at; the further reason it is not possible to increase the social welfare inspectorate in places such as Tuam and many other areas around the country in view of the number of people out of work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30164/09]

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

Social Welfare Inspectors appointed under Section 250 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, investigate claims to all means tested Social Welfare Schemes, excluding Supplementary Welfare Allowance. Reviews of means tested payments are also carried out by Inspectors to ensure the conditions regarding entitlement continue to be satisfied. The Inspectors' remit also includes the combating of fraud and abuse of all the Department's schemes.

The increase in the Live Register over the last year or so has resulted in considerable extra demands being made on the resources of the Department's Inspectorate. As a result of this approval was received for 40 additional assignments to the grade of Social Welfare Inspector. Of these 40 posts, 15 Inspectors have already been assigned and a further 12 posts are categorised as 'offer accepted' where individuals have been appointed to the posts and the process of assigning them is underway. Work is continuing to fill the remaining 13 posts and it is hoped to have this process completed shortly.

There are two Social Welfare Inspector posts in Tuam. One of these posts has been vacant for some time although every effort has been made to fill this vacancy through staff re-deployment from other Government Departments. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to fill this position to date partly because it is in competition for resources with vacancies arising elsewhere in the East Galway area. As an interim measure a full-time Inspector from Galway was assigned recently to the Tuam post on a temporary basis and in addition, some part-time support is also provided.