Waiting times for dole at all-time high despite Hanafin’s vow
Figures for October show waiting times for welfare remain at over 20 weeks in one county, while delays of over three months are common elsewhere.
Minister Mary Hanafin pointed out yesterday that more than 53,000 claims for jobseekers’ payments were being processed in local welfare offices every month, and said that attempts were being made to address backlogs.
“Despite this, there are a small number of offices where further work is needed to bring processing times within more acceptable limits and the department is working on this as a key priority,” said the minister.
Figures released by her department show the wait for jobseekers allowance stands at over 21 weeks in Castlepollard, Co Westmeath.
This compares to around 17 weeks delay for the month of September there.
Elsewhere, there continue to be lengthy delays in Clonakilty, Cork — 15 weeks, Edenderry, Offaly — 14, Galway city — 15, and Navan, Meath — 15.
Eight areas nationwide are facing delays of around three months for assessments so people can claim jobseekers allowance.
Ms Hanafin said her department was prioritising difficulties in some branches like in Castlepollard.
“Claims from this branch office and a number of others will continue to be the focus of particular attention in the coming weeks.”
Delays have fallen in some areas with waiting times dropping in Edenderry where they were at 22 weeks and in Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, from 18 weeks to nearly nine weeks. Delays also fell in Loughrea, Galway, from roughly 18 weeks to around 10.
The department last night said in a statement that during the month of October, three out of every four claims for jobseekers benefit (based on a person’s PRSI contributions) were processed within three weeks.
However, representatives for the unemployed point out that it is the jobseekers allowance that applicants are having to wait so long for, especially the self-employed whose businesses had recently collapsed.
The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed condemned the waiting times as “appalling”.
