Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 March 2014
110. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of applications for invalidity pension currently on hand; the likely timescale within which it is expected that a decision will be made; the degree if any to which she can speed up the processing of such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11144/14]
View answerThere is no backlog in claim processing in Invalidity Pension. As at the end of February 2014 there were 2,050 Invalidity Pension (IP) claims registered, actioned and awaiting information to finalise a decision. This includes approximately 270 cases which are being investigated under EU regulations or bi-lateral agreements. These cases are more complex and take longer to decide. Approximately 210 new invalidity pension claims are received in the Department each week. These are examined on receipt and a decision is completed where all information is available. If a medical assessment and/or further information is required, it is requested without delay.
Once all the necessary information is received, the claim is processed. The current average time taken to provide a decision on a new invalidity pension claim is just under 9 weeks. Delays may occur while waiting for a medical assessment or if a person has not returned documentation requested. Where a claim is disallowed and the customer requests a review of the decision or appeals the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office, this requires an additional amount of time to finalise. Processes and procedures are continuously being reviewed with the objective of reducing processing times.
