15/10/2010
Dole Practices To Be Made 'User Friendly'
A Fianna Fáil TD has announced that unemployment benefit practices are to be made more "user-friendly" due to the "unprecedented number of people" now accessing them.
Meath East Fianna Fáil TD Thomas Byrne made the announcement at a meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, saying he was keen to find ways of improving the services for those accessing them.
"As an unprecedented number of people are now accessing social welfare benefits, many for the first time, it is essential that the system is made as user-friendly as possible," TD Byrne said.
Mr Byrne added that he acknowledged the plight of those whose incomes have been severely decreased.
"Many families have gone from two wage earners to one while still trying to meet high mortgage repayments.
"Being in financial distress is difficult enough so it is vital that information on benefits and the relevant forms are easily
This morning's comments come only a day after Opposition party Fine Gael pointed out that some 20,446 claimants who have been denied social welfare have to wait an average of six months for their appeal to be heard.
Fine Gael Social Protection Spokesman Michael Ring described the situation as a "scandal and a disgrace" and said some of the most vulnerable members of society are being "hung out to dry" by the Government.
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Ring said: “This Government’s lack of compassion has been exposed once again. These claimants have already endured a lengthy wait to have their initial applications processed, only to be rejected. Now the Government expects them to wait another six months for a decision.
“There is clear evidence that the State is making it much harder for people to claim social welfare. They are entitled to have their appeal heard swiftly and fairly. It’s about time the Government showed some compassion and a sense of urgency in this matter. The passports backlog was only addressed through a concerted effort at Government level." Mr Byrne said it was in the interests of the Department of Social Protection to make information and forms more user-friendly as it would reduce the number of appeals and make the system much more efficient.
(DW)
Meath East Fianna Fáil TD Thomas Byrne made the announcement at a meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, saying he was keen to find ways of improving the services for those accessing them.
"As an unprecedented number of people are now accessing social welfare benefits, many for the first time, it is essential that the system is made as user-friendly as possible," TD Byrne said.
Mr Byrne added that he acknowledged the plight of those whose incomes have been severely decreased.
"Many families have gone from two wage earners to one while still trying to meet high mortgage repayments.
"Being in financial distress is difficult enough so it is vital that information on benefits and the relevant forms are easily
This morning's comments come only a day after Opposition party Fine Gael pointed out that some 20,446 claimants who have been denied social welfare have to wait an average of six months for their appeal to be heard.
Fine Gael Social Protection Spokesman Michael Ring described the situation as a "scandal and a disgrace" and said some of the most vulnerable members of society are being "hung out to dry" by the Government.
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Ring said: “This Government’s lack of compassion has been exposed once again. These claimants have already endured a lengthy wait to have their initial applications processed, only to be rejected. Now the Government expects them to wait another six months for a decision.
“There is clear evidence that the State is making it much harder for people to claim social welfare. They are entitled to have their appeal heard swiftly and fairly. It’s about time the Government showed some compassion and a sense of urgency in this matter. The passports backlog was only addressed through a concerted effort at Government level." Mr Byrne said it was in the interests of the Department of Social Protection to make information and forms more user-friendly as it would reduce the number of appeals and make the system much more efficient.
(DW)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
