Sinn Féin TD for Donegal Pearse Doherty has warned that the government is failing people who need emergency social welfare payments, amid severe delays.
A majority of emergency payment applications to the Department are taking between 5 and 8 weeks to process, according to information from the Department of Social Protection.
95% of applications are finalised within 5 to 8 weeks.
Speaking today, Teachta Doherty said the processing times are completely unacceptable: “The idea that a person seeking urgent financial assistance is left waiting up to 8 weeks for a decision is frightening and will be leaving people in Donegal at risk of poverty.”
“The Additional Needs Payment has been heavily promoted by government representatives recently with people in difficulty being urged to apply for the payment if they are struggling. The public has been assured that the support is there for them through this payment.”
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin’s Social Protection spokesperson Claire Kerrane TD called for the payment application to be placed online months ago to give people the option to apply and upload the necessary documentation.
Deputy Doherty said that nothing has happened since.
“Minister Humphreys must intervene and take immediate action to get the processing times down. She should put the payment online as another option for people and she needs to return Community Welfare Officers to the community so they can be easily accessed by those who need support. Additional staff for processing applications is also clearly needed,” he said.
“People in Donegal are facing a severe cost of living crisis and are struggling to keep on top of their bills. Also, the demand for this payment is only going to rise. It is shameful of any government to promote a payment to workers and families who are struggling as a safety net for them, without having the necessary resources in place.”
