It is vital that those in need of the social welfare benefits and services receive such support as swiftly as possible, especially as the numbers of unemployed rise this year.
This is the view of Labour party president and Galway West TD Michael D Higgins, who is calling for shorter waiting times for those applying for social welfare benefits.
The average time that it took the Social Welfare Appeals Office to process appeals in 2008 was 22 weeks. When Dep Higgins sought information on figures for this year, they were not forthcoming.
However, the Labour TD believes that with higher unemployment and the Department of Social and Family Affairs’ own figures, that there is likely to be an increase of around 18 per cent in the number of appeals received during 2009.
“It is highly probable that the average waiting time may be significantly higher again this year,” he said. “With unemployment soaring and new job losses being announced on a daily basis, it is vital that those who have to avail of social welfare benefits be able to do so as rapidly as possible and without inordinate delay.”
