Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 January 2012
46 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of requests for mortgage interest relief, rent support or other supplementary welfare payment made in each of the past three years to date in 2012; the number approved, rejected, refused or pending during the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4421/12]
View answer121 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of applications for rent support received in her Department or through the Health Service Executive in each of the past two years to date in 2012; the number approved, refused or pending; the average length of time taken to process applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4687/12]
View answer124 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications received in her Department or through the Health Service Executive for mortgage interest support in each to the past two years to date in 2012; the number granted, refused or pending; the average length of time taken to determine such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4690/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 121 and 124 together.
Statistics are not available on the average length of time taken to assess mortgage interest supplement or other supplementary welfare allowance applications. The timescale for determining applications is dependent, among other things, on the availability of the required information, such as details of the applicant's income, bank statements etc. In addition, some aspects of the application are inevitably time consuming and delays can occur where investigations such as home visits or third party evidence are required. Delays can also arise if the applicant is slow to respond to requests for additional information.
The provision of a prompt service is a major objective for the Department's staff dealing with applications. However, this is tempered by the necessity to ensure that every case is fully investigated and that all cases are dealt with in a consistent and fair manner. While certain applications may take more time to process than others, I am satisfied that the Department's staff dealing with these applications make every effort to ensure claims are processed efficiently and that the appropriate levels of oversight and controls are in place.
Statistics are not available on the number of mortgage interest supplement, rent supplement and basic supplementary welfare allowance applications received for the past 3 years and to date in 2012 or the outcome of those applications. However, I am attaching a tabular statement showing the number of basic supplementary welfare allowance, rent supplement and mortgage interest supplement claims awarded in each of the past 3 years and to date in 2012.
|
Year |
Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
Rent Supplement |
Mortgage Interest Supplement |
|
2009 |
143,719 |
87,802 |
13,724 |
|
2010 |
12,365 |
71,674 |
11,321 |
|
2011 |
95,227 |
63,878 |
10,106 |
|
2012(1) |
4,673 |
2,408 |
356 |
(1)To 20 January 2012
