Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 1 Mar 2000

Vol. 515 No. 4

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

37 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the proposals, if any, he has to recruit additional field staff to enable his Department to make decisions on claims within a reasonable timeframe. [6087/00]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

Social welfare inspectors investigate and report on claims for social welfare payments and reviews of those claims. They are also involved in inspections of employers in relation to their PRSI obligations and the investigation of cases of suspected fraud or abuse of the social welfare system.

There are 413 staff on investigation duties at present. The numbers have been increased over recent years to reflect the increase in the workload. While the numbers in receipt of unemployment payments have reduced, there have been significant expansions of other schemes and the addition of new schemes over the period for example, the farm assist scheme. There has also been a significant increase in the level of control activities undertaken by inspectors over the period with extra staff being assigned for this purpose.

After investigation, claims are forwarded to deciding officers who are located in my local and headquarter offices for decision.

My Department is committed to improving the quality of service to its customers, particularly in relation to the timely processing and payment of claims. The Department is satisfied that there are sufficient staff on investigation duties to deal with the workload they receive in a timely manner. However, various measures have been taken to improve claim processing times, identify procedures causing delay and eliminate delays where possible. This will continue to be a priority and the extended use of technology will make possible further improvements in this regard.