Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 July 2023
283. 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; the extent of progress in reducing waiting times for means-tested payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33381/23]
View answerThe following means test based schemes are assessed in terms of operational performance:• State Pension (Non-Contributory)• Jobseeker's Allowance• One-Parent Family Payment• Supplementary Welfare Allowance • Carer's Allowance• Disability Allowance• Household Benefits
The following schemes which are based on PRSI contributions are also assessed:• State Pension (Contributory)• Widow(er)'s Contributory Pension• Jobseeker's Benefit• Maternity Benefit• Paternity Benefit• Invalidity Pension• Illness Benefit• Occupational Injury Benefit
The attached tabular statements below outline the agreed target and metric for each scheme, along with the average targets achieved in May 2023.
Table 1: Processing times versus targets for means test based schemes
|
Scheme |
Target |
Metric |
Target Performance May 2023 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
75% |
In 12 Weeks |
94% |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
90% |
In 6 Weeks |
96% |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
90% |
In 10 Weeks |
96% |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance Basic |
90% |
In 1 Week |
82% |
|
Carer's Allowance |
75% |
In 10 Weeks |
94% |
|
Disability Allowance |
75% |
In 10 Weeks |
73% |
|
Household Benefits |
90% |
In 4 Weeks |
99% |
Table 2: Processing times versus targets for contribution-related payments
|
Scheme |
Target |
Metric |
Target Performance May 2023 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
90% |
By date of entitlement |
99% |
|
Widow(er)'s Contributory Pension |
90% |
In 6 Weeks |
94% |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
90% |
In 3 Weeks |
95% |
|
Maternity Benefit |
90% |
By due date |
97% |
|
Paternity Benefit |
90% |
By Commencement of leave |
88% |
|
Invalidity Pension |
90% |
In 10 Weeks |
93% |
|
Illness Benefit |
90% |
In 1 week |
94% |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
90% |
In 1 week |
61% |
