Hildegarde Naughton, TD

To ask the Minister for Social Protection the steps she has taken to reduce the waiting time for social welfare appeals and details of the success to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter TD has today published the Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013. The Bill represents a major reform of the fine payment and recovery system in Ireland and provides for the payment of fines by installment and attachment of earnings.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell, has said that the Government's Action Plan for Jobs is creating the conditions whereby 2,000 jobs per month are now being created in the private sector. Deputy Farrell's comments were made following the release of the Government's Action Plan for Jobs sixth quarterly progress report which showed that 160 out of 180 objectives have been delivered for the second quarter of 2013.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell, has welcomed the launch of JobsPlus, a new Government initiative aimed at incentivising employers to hire the long-term unemployed. It will see the State cover €1 out of every €4 it costs to hire someone off the Live Register.

To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the provision of a social welfare office in Balbriggan, County Dublin, for local community welfare services in view of the fact that currently recipients are required to travel to the city centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter

To ask the Minister for Social Protection the steps she has taken to reduce the waiting time for social welfare appeals and details of the success to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter.