Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of staff working at the Dublin central rent supplement applications processing unit; the number of applications received by the unit since it opened and the processing time of applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55581/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Currently 10 staff are assigned to the rent supplement processing hub in Dublin Central division. This staffing figure is based on incremental assignments to the area being realisable on foot of broader re-structuring in the division. The unit has received approximately 1,427 new cases from opening in March until the end of November 2012. There has been a significant improvement in waiting times for applications to be processed since the unit was established, and as additional staff have been assigned. Applications for rent supplement or mortgage interest supplement now commence processing within a week.