Waiting times for dole at all-time high despite Hanafin’s vow

DOLE processing times remain at an all-time high despite commitments by the Social Affairs Minister to commit more staff to speed up welfare payments.

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.