Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
929. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 71 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to initiate a review of application processes and their transparency to minimise the rate of rejection of applications for disability supports and care supports; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57318/23]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. In general, eligibility to social welfare schemes which involve?medical or caring conditionality take longer to process than non-medical schemes, and may require a review of a more in-depth level of information.
Since 2022 and into 2023, a series of projects were undertaken by my Department to review the application forms for the Carers Allowance and Benefit schemes, in addition to the forms for Disability Allowance and Invalidity Pension. This review sought to ensure any information needed to decide eligibility for each scheme was requested and presented on the application form in an easy to understand manner. The review also sought to eliminate requests for information already available to a Deciding Officer through existing data held by the Department.
A series of stakeholders were consulted throughout the process.
The amended forms ensure that only information that is required to complete the application is requested and Plain English is used to assist the application process.
It is important to note that an initial incomplete application for one of these schemes will not, in isolation, result in a disallowed decision when reviewing someone's eligibility. Where an applicant has misunderstood what is requested, or there are gaps in the information required to determine an individual's eligibility, a Deciding Officer will contact the applicant to request any further information required in support of their application.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
