Vol. 557 No. 5
237 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason only 14 weeks adoptive benefit is allowed as opposed to 18 weeks maternity benefit; and if she will take steps to bring up the adoptive benefit period to 18 weeks in view of the time factor and expense incurred in foreign adoptions. [22981/02]
Entitlement to adoptive benefit, as in the case also of maternity benefit, is contingent in the first instance on a person's entitlement to the relevant leave. In order to qualify for adoptive benefit or maternity benefit, a person must first be entitled to adoptive leave or maternity leave, as appropriate. The duration of adoptive benefit and maternity benefit is also aligned to the duration of the appropriate leave. In line with the increase of four weeks extra maternity leave and maternity benefit from February 2001, the duration of adoptive leave and adoptive benefit was similarly extended by four weeks at the same time. Adopting parents are now entitled to 14 weeks adoptive leave and adoptive benefit.
Since its introduction in 1995, the duration of adoptive leave has been set at four weeks less than the duration of maternity leave. This is explained by the fact that an adopting parent does not face the same health and safety considerations which arise for pregnant workers, particularly in the last four weeks of pregnancy.
The duration of adoptive leave is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, who is currently reviewing the provisions of the Adoptive Leave Act, 1995. The implications of any proposals emerging from this review on the operation of the adoptive benefit scheme will be examined in a budgetary context.
238 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason applications for a carer's allowance are taking so long to process; the average time involved from application; and if she will take steps to provide adequate resources to deal with this important area. [22982/02]
My Department is committed to providing a quality customer service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are issued as expeditiously as possible having regard to the eligibility conditions which apply.
Entitlement to carer's allowance is based on an applicant satisfying medical, means and residency conditions. There is, in certain cases, an unavoidable timelag involved in making the necessary investigations and enquiries to enable timely and accurate decisions to be made. In addition to the work my Department has to carry out, there is an onus on applicants to furnish all necessary documentation. Time can elapse through delays by persons applying for the allowance not supplying all the necessary information in support of their claim.
The average time for deciding an application for receipt of carer's allowance is ten weeks, although in many cases they are processed within a far shorter timeframe. Many applicants for carer's allowance are already in receipt of another social welfare payment while their claim is being processed. Such payments will normally continue until entitlement to their carer's allowance is determined.
The staff and other resources available to my Department are regularly reviewed having regard to the workload arising and other competing demands; the available resources are then used to best advantage in discharging my Department's obligations towards our customers and in implementing cost-effective controls to prevent and detect fraud and abuse.
If the Deputy has a particular case(s) in mind where a delay is being experienced, perhaps he would let my Department have the relevant details.
