Delays causing hardship
for families
by Damian Dowds, Inishowen
Independent
DELAYS in processing dole applications in Inishowen
are running at between six and ten weeks and are
causing major financial problems for many households
in the peninsula the Inishowen Independent has
learned.
The Citizens Information Service has confirmed that
it has seen an increase in family problems,
including separation, owing to financial headaches
in recent months.
The numbers signing on the live register in
Inishowen has increased by more than 33% in the last
two years and staff at the Social Welfare office in
Buncrana, which serves the whole peninsula, are
struggling to deal with the massive increase in
their workload.
“The increase in applicants is one of the reasons
for delays,” a Department of Social Welfare
spokeswoman confirmed “However, a large number of
people applying for Jobseeker’s Allowance were
previously self-employed, or still working on a
part-time basis, and because this is means-tested it
is a more complicated and time consuming process.
Applications from cross-border workers, which are a
feature in border areas such as Buncrana, are also
more complicated.”
The spokeswoman pointed out that applications from
workers with full PRSI contributions are being
completed in a shorter timeframe.
However, the delays are causing hardship across the
board. The Citizens Information Service has reported
a marked increase in the number of people coming to
them with social welfare related problems.
“There’s been a lot of complaints about delays and
around 30% of the people that come through our doors
– which is a big increase on recent times – have a
social welfare query,” Citizens Information Service
official Dermot Curran said.
“We have also seen a corresponding increase in
family problems, including separation, as families
struggle with financial problems and the threat of
home repossessions.”
“I signed on in a previous life and it’s a horrible
experience. If not handled properly, it can be
humiliating,” said Sinn Féin councillor Pádraig Mac
Lochlainn.
“The kind of people who are signing on now are
embarrassed to have to do so. It’s a bit of blow to
their sense of dignity that they have to sign on,
and delays only make it worse.”
A supplementary welfare allowance is available for
applicants whose dole application is delayed, but
this is means-tested in all cases regardless of
whether the applicant has built up the necessary
stamps to qualify for a full dole payment.
The downturn in the construction industry is the
main factor in increased unemployment locally, and
this brings its own problems. Many of the men who
worked in the industry were self-employed and
because they were not paying stamps, they are
finding that they are not entitled to dole once
their claim is assessed.
“Social welfare is assessing self-employed people
based on last year’s income, and making no account
for whatever outgoings they had,” Mr Curran said.
“Many men are finding they are entitled to no
payment at all, while other men who worked in
construction have discovered that their employers
weren’t paying a full stamp for them and their dole
is reduced because of this.” |
