Vol. 511 No. 3
283 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason for the delay in dealing with an application for unemployment benefit by a person (details supplied) County Cork; and if he will expedite the matter. [24581/99]
The person concerned made a claim for unemployment benefit on 3 September 1999.
His entitlement to unemployment benefit had to be investigated as he stated on his application form that he had voluntarily left his employment.
A decision has been made in this case and the person concerned is entitled to payment of unemployment benefit at the maximum personal weekly rate of £73.50.
His first payment, plus arrears due, will issue to him by cheque and should reach him by Wednesday 24 November. Further weekly payments will continue as they fall due.
284 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the length of time it takes for an applicant for unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance to receive payment; and if sufficient resources are being made available to ensure this timeframe is adhered to. [24582/99]
My Department is committed to improving the quality of service to its customers, particularly in relation to the timely processing and payment of claims.
In this regard, targets for the processing of claims have been set. The targets take account of the requirements of speed, accuracy and effective customer service, economy and efficiency in the use of resources, and the application of effective controls to guard against abuse.
The targets which have been set also take account of the fact that some claims take longer than others to process because, for example, necessary information may be difficult to obtain. Claims requiring a means test of their nature take longer to process. The present targets for unemployment payments are expressed in terms of the time elapsed between the registration of the claim at the local office and the authorisation of the claim for payment. The targets are: unemployment benefit – 85 per cent of claims to be authorised within two working weeks; unemployment assistance – 70 per cent of claims to be authorised within two working weeks.
The performance for 1999 to date shows that 76 per cent of unemployment benefit claims and 62 per cent of unemployment assistance claims are being processed within their respective target times. Some 90 per cent of unemployment benefit claims are authorised within four weeks, while 90% of unemployment assistance claims are authorised within six weeks.
