asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he is aware that in the Cork area undue delay in the investigation of claims for unemployment assistance occurs during the annual leave of the local investigating officers, and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to rectify the matter.

I am not aware that in the Cork area undue delay in the investigation of claims for unemployment assistance occurs during the annual leave of the local investigating officers. The existing arrangement under which such officers are paired for the purpose of mutual leave relief is considered to be satisfactory and no change is proposed.