asked the Minister for Social Welfare the proposals he has to improve facilities for the unemployed in the Bray area to ensure (a) that claims will be dealt with more expeditiously (b) privacy to transact business and (c) shelter from the elements while awaiting the transaction of this business.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bray Employment Exchange Facilities.
23.
As a result of negotiations at present being finalised it is hoped to provide a new employment exchange premises in Bray in the very near future. It is hoped that the new premises will provide the desired facilities.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary let me know why claims have been delayed for such a serious length of time?
It is my understanding that there has been some delay in the payment of claims. There was a break-in at the exchange and some damage was done to documentation and this did lead to a delay in meeting claims.
Is this in the Parliamentary Secretary's opinion the sole reason for the delay? Was there a problem of staffing involved?
No. The staffing, as the Deputy is probably aware, was considerably increased in recent months so it would hardly be a question of unavailability of staff or insufficient staff. I agree the present premises are not suitable and we hope to acquire premises in the very near future which will be suitable.
There was a change in staff there——
A question, please, Deputy.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that it is only in the last year that these huge queues have arisen extending right down Bray Main Street? Great delays have been experienced to the scandal of the Department.
I do not think there has been that deterioration in the situation the Deputy suggests. I think the situation has been aggravated by people not coming at the time at which they are requested to come. A certain number come at 10.30 a.m., a certain number at 11.00 a.m., a certain number at 11.30 a.m. and a certain number at 12 noon. That should be the practice, but if a very large number arrive at 10.30 a.m. there will undoubtedly be a queue irrespective of what facilities are available.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree——
I have already allowed the Deputy to ask a number of supplementary questions.
I am not one known for asking many questions, but the questions I do ask are serious and important. The Parliamentary Secretary would hardly want us to believe that people——
This is Question Time and I have already allowed the Deputy to ask a number of supplementary questions.
May I ask one final supplementary?
Quickly.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree with me that it is excessive to have people queuing for one and a half hours? When they arrived at the counter they were asked why they were not here in time. They had been queuing for an hour and a half before they reached the counter to transact their business.
The Deputy is engaging in argument.
I do not think so. Could I have an answer to that question? The Parliamentary Secretary mentioned time in his reply. This is an important matter.
May I have the permission of the House to complete the questions to the Parliamentary Secretary? There are just two questions.
The Parliamentary Secretary mentioned time in his reply.
The Chair has been as fair as he can with the Deputy.
I will answer the question. I am not so aware.