197 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the waiting time for applicants for jobseeker’s allowance from date of application to approval or refusal at the following centres in County Galway during the years 2009 and to date in 2010: Loughrea, Gort, Tuam and Ballinasloe; the time taken for appeals to be processed at the same centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43059/10]

I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the statistics requested by the Deputy are not maintained on a county by county or centre by centre basis. I can, however, provide the Deputy with data in relation to approvals and refusals for all Jobseeker's Allowance applications made by customers in the Loughrea, Gort, Tuam and Ballinasloe Local Offices. Tabular statements give details of approvals, refusals and average times in these offices. Customers who have applied for Jobseeker's Allowance may apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance from their local Community Welfare Officer while they are awaiting a decision on their claim.