Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2012
391. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form the number of applications for carer's allowance in County Kerry between January 2010 and January 2012; the average waiting time for these applications to be processed; the number were granted; the number refused and the number still pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51240/12]
View answerI wish to advise that the specific statistics as requested by the deputy on carer’s allowance applications and decisions in respect of Co. Kerry for the period between January 2010 and January 2012 are not available.
Currently there are just over 9,000 new applications for carer’s allowance awaiting an initial decision. This is down from 10,137 at end August 2012. Approximately 275 new applications are received each week. The average time taken to award a carer’s allowance application is 25 weeks, however individual cases may vary. Some will be processed quicker, others will take longer depending on complexity and whether all information is supplied by the customer at the outset. In addition, where a customer requests a review of an initial decision to refuse an application, this will take additional time.
There are approximately 2,100 people in Co. Kerry in receipt of carer’s allowance and there are approximately 350 new applications with addresses in Co. Kerry which are awaiting an initial decision.
