The Deputy's query refers to the number of persons primarily employed to process entitlement payments in certain agencies, namely the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), the Health Research Board (HRB), the Residential Institutions Redress Board and Community Welfare Offices.
The NTPF and the HRB are agencies under the aegis of my Department. I have been informed that neither of these agencies process entitlement payments.
The Residential Institutions Redress Board is an independent body, which was established under the Residential Institutions Redress Act, 2002, by the Minister for Education and Science. I am unable to provide a response in relation to this body as it is not under the aegis of my Department. The Deputy's query should be redirected to the Department of Education and Science.
With regard to the Community Welfare Offices, this would be a service matter for the Health Service Executive. I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to this aspect of your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.