Fine Gael Deputy Michael Ring, spokesperson for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, has today claimed that Social Welfare local offices and regional offices are currently unable to cope with the influx of claims they are receiving.
“There is a huge challenge facing the Government in dealing with this issue and this can be clearly seen in the high numbers applying for social welfare payments in September 2008, as compared with September 2007.
“In September 2007 the Department processed 11,287 applications for Jobseekers Benefit nationally; in September 2008 the figure was 21,437. Meanwhile the rise in applications for Jobseekers Allowance processed in the month is also dramatic, with a 60 per cent increase compared to September 2007 (10,224 compared to 6,390 ).
“In September 2007 there were 10,457 claims for Jobseekers Allowance awaiting decision, and 7,579 claims for Jobseekers Benefit. The September 2008 figures are 22,276 and 16,857. That is an increase of over 100 per cent in both categories during one year under this Government.
“The figures reveal that the number of claimants seeking jobseekers allowance has almost doubled and the number of applications awaiting a decision has doubled.”
“It is stressful enough for a person to have lost their job, without having to endure inordinate delays in their social welfare claims. I am calling on the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to take immediate action to ensure that Jobseekers claims are dealt with as soon as possible,” concluded Deputy Ring.
