Vol. 470 No. 1
139 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the delay in having a petrol allowance paid to persons qualifying under the disabled driver's concession scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that such payments, which were previously made within ten days, are currently taking six weeks to issue after the claim has been lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18270/96]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that there has been a delay in recent months in the processing of repayment claims in respect of fuel used by disabled drivers/passengers. This is due to a substantial increase in the number of such claims received. In addition, the introduction of new repayment schemes such as the car scrappage scheme which was launched last year, has increased the workload of the staff involved.
The commissioners are conscious of the necessity of ensuring that repayment claims are processed promptly and that repayments are issued without undue delay. They have assured me that steps have been taken to eliminate the arrears in the immediate future and that, furthermore, the existing processing system is being examined with a view to streamlining it in order to ensure a consistently efficient service.
