Responding to the protest against the inadequate dole office in Portarlington, the Department of Social Protection spokesperson said that branch managers are responsible for the provision of premises and staff.

"Social Welfare Branch offices are operated and managed, under a contract for service, by a branch manager who is required to act as an agent for the department in the area served by the office. Branch managers are responsible for the provision of premises and employment of their own staff," said the spokesperson in the wake of this week's protest organised by Sinn Féin.

The Dept noted that over the past two years, the numbers signing on at Portarlington Social Welfare branch office have increased from over 1,600 to over 3,300.

Customers of the branch office in Port are required to sign-on the live register for Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit once every four weeks.

"The working arrangements in Portarlington Social Welfare branch office are kept under review and the department is working with the branch manager in this regard.

"Signing arrangements are in the process of being changed in the office to reduce the numbers attending on any given signing day which will reduce queues. The branch manager has also employed additional staff to deal with the increased volume in claims," said the Department.