Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 May 2013
127. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form the current waiting times per social welfare payment for the processing of reviews by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21015/13]
View answerWhere a claim is in payment, reviews can be initiated by the customer where there has been a change in their circumstances, by a relevant official of the Department where it appears warranted, or as part of the on-going control of schemes to ensure that the conditions of the scheme continue to be satisfied.
As qualifying criteria for schemes differ greatly, the nature and type of a claim review can also take many different forms and may include, for instance, a medical assessment, a review of means or a general review of the claim by a deciding officer.
Reviews may necessitate some or all of the following: a home visit by a social welfare inspector, attendance for a medical examination, other attendance at an office of the Department or a request to the customer for further documentation.
In view of the above it is not possible to provide the detailed information requested by the Deputy. However, if he wishes to furnish more detail as to a specific scheme or review I would be happy to respond.
