Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 June 2015
68. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for a State pension (contributory) received by her Department in 2013, 2014, and to date in 2015; the number of applications approved, pending, or refused, per year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24194/15]
View answerThe table shows the total number of state pension (contributory) applications received during the period January 2013 to end-May 2015, the number of applications pending and decision outcomes.
|
Year ending 31 Dec 2013 |
Year ending 31 Dec 2014 |
Year to 31 May 2015 |
|
|
Claims received |
39,215 |
40,212 |
17,210 |
|
Claims pending |
2,190 |
3,058 |
4,129 |
|
Claims awarded |
28,129 |
27,591 |
10,679 |
|
Claims disallowed |
7,877 |
8,205 |
4,210 |
The Department is committed to delivering the best possible service to its customers. The processing target of 90% of applications decided by entitlement date has been achieved for state pension (contributory) consistently during this period.
In order to ensure that entitlement to pension is decided by their due date, applicants are advised to apply at least three months in advance of reaching pension age (66). Due to improvements implemented through service delivery modernisation initiatives, where state pension contributory qualification exists, applicants are contacted and invited to make timely applications.
