Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 November 2006
228 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reduction in claim processing times for one parent family payment applications in weeks as a result of decentralisation to local offices; the average time for OFP claims to be processed in 2003, 2004, 2005 and to date in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38234/06]
View answerThe processing of one-parent family claims has heretofore been carried out in the Social Welfare Services Office in Sligo. Following a review of the arrangements for administering the scheme, it was decided that services should in future be provided through my Department's network of Local and Branch Offices. The primary aim of providing services at local level is to improve customer service by reducing claim processing times through closer linkage with the local investigative officer network and by providing more direct local contact for lone parents with the Department's employment and educational support services.
My Department currently processes new applications for one parent family payment (OFP) at 39 Social Welfare local offices. The process to move the stock of claims currently administered in Sligo to Social Welfare Local Offices commenced during 2006. The average time from date of claim to date of award for one parent family claims for unmarried claimants was approximately 14 weeks in 2003, 16 weeks in 2004, 9 weeks in 2005 and 8.5 weeks in 2006 to date.
