Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of job facilitators; the average waiting times to access support from a job facilitator; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34293/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The number of facilitators currently in place is 61.5 (half post due to a work sharing arrangement). It is envisaged that this number will increase to 70 in the coming months. The facilitator service is available locally to all social welfare recipients via the local network. Facilitators are assigned to cover a geographical area. They hold open clinics and meet with people who have been referred either by the social welfare local office, the employment support section or by other agencies. In the current economic climate the demand for the facilitator service is elevated. Waiting times to see a facilitator may vary nationwide. Actual waiting times for individual facilitators are not available. An appointment can be made by contacting the facilitators directly or via the appropriate local office. Facilitators make every effort to contact customers as quickly as possible.