Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2022
472. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the waiting time for decision in respect of applications for various social welfare payments has been shortened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59546/22]
View answer473. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which waiting times for payments in respect of means-tested applications compare with contribution related payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59547/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 472 and 473 together.
My Department understands the many pressures faced by customers and always seeks to ensure that claims are processed quickly and efficiently.
Processing times vary across schemes, depending on the differing eligibility criteria. Schemes that require a higher level of documentary evidence from the customer, particularly in the case of illness-related schemes, can take longer to process. Similarly, means-tested schemes, which necessitate the submission of certain financial documentation, can require more detailed investigation and interaction with the customer, thereby lengthening the decision-making process.
I am pleased to report that claims processing is generally up to date, with processing targets met and exceeded for most of the primary schemes. This is for both the means-tested and contributory schemes. My department continues to ensure that customer service is maintained at a high level.
The average processing times across the main schemes is outlined in the table below.
- For the majority of schemes, the claim processing performance measure of ‘weeks-to-award’ has continued to exceed performance targets and has remained consistent or has shortened when compared with end-December 2021 results.
- 8 of the 10 contributory schemes show consistent weeks-to-award results at end-October 2022, when compared with end-December 2021 results.
- 6 of the 8 non-contributory schemes show consistent or shortened weeks-to-award results at end-October 2022, when compared with end-December 2021.
|
Social Welfare Scheme |
Average weeks-to- award a claim at end-December 2021 |
Average weeks-to- award a claim in Oct 2022 |
Performance target weeks-to-award |
|
Contributory Schemes |
|||
|
Carer’s Benefit |
4 |
7 |
12 |
|
Child Benefit |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
Illness Benefit |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
8 |
8 |
10 |
|
Jobseekers Benefit |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
6 |
6 |
By due date |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
6 |
6 |
By commencement date |
|
State Pension Contributory |
5 |
6 |
By date of entitlement |
|
Widows & Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension |
1 |
1 |
6 |
|
Non-Contributory Schemes |
|||
|
Carer’s Allowance |
5 |
5 |
11 |
|
Disability Allowance |
5 |
7 |
10 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
12 |
6 |
10 |
|
Jobseekers Allowance |
1 |
1 |
6 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
5 |
3 |
10 |
|
State Pension Non-Contributory |
7 |
6 |
12 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Working Family Payment |
3 |
4 |
6 |
|
Free Travel & Household Benefits |
|||
|
Free Travel |
2 |
6 |
2 |
|
Household Benefits |
1 |
1 |
4 |
In recent years, my Department has introduced a wide range of initiatives aimed at streamlining the processing of claims, supported by modern technology. Operational processes, procedures and the organisation of work are continually reviewed to ensure that processing capability is maximized.
In addition, the staffing needs of the Department are regularly reviewed, having regard to workloads and the competing demands arising, to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
