asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has any plans to reduce the waiting time for the processing of claims for unemployment assistance.

14.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delays in paying unemployment assistance.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.

It is a requirement for receipt of unemployment assistance that the applicant must undergo a means test. This very often involves detailed inquiries and investigations and some delay is inevitable for this reason.

The administrative arrangements for dealing with claims have been under review and steps are being taken to simplify the procedures. These include the devolution of decision-making to the greatest extent possible to local employment exchanges. This will result in claims being dealt with more directly and more expeditiously.

When does the Minister propose to implement the order giving autonomy to the local employment offices?

A pilot scheme is in operation in the Cork and Drogheda employment exchanges and the experiment is proving satisfactory. It will be extended to other exchanges as soon as we get additional staff.

I would ask that a decision be made if the waiting period exceeds eight weeks and medical certificates continue to be submitted. People are waiting as long as 20 weeks for a decision and this causes great hardship.

We are devolving the decision-making process and I think the new arrangements will work satisfactorily.