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Social Welfare Benefits.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Ceisteanna (1138, 1139, 1140, 1141, 1142, 1143)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

1318 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons who have applied for the carer’s allowance to date in 2004; the length of time on average it took to process the applications; the number of persons who were subsequently awarded the carer’s allowance; and the number who were awarded the payment on appeal. [21901/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Ring

Ceist:

1319 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will investigate the length of time it is taking to process carer’s allowance claims; and the way in which this process can be improved to prevent applicants waiting on average 13 weeks to receive a decision on their claims. [21902/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Ring

Ceist:

1326 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of occasions in 2004 on which the target date of ten weeks for processing claims for the carer’s allowance has been met; the plans she has to improve processing times in that section and ensure that the target date which was independently assessed and set is met; and the current processing time for applications. [22047/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1318, 1319 and 1326 together.

My Department has received 5,655 applications for carer's allowance this year. A total of 5,241 claims have been determined and another 469 claims were withdrawn so far this year, including some claims received towards the end of 2003. A total of 3,220 persons were awarded carer's allowance in the first instance. There were 89 carer's allowance appeals allowed and the applicants concerned were subsequently awarded carer's allowance. Entitlement to carer's allowance is based on an applicant satisfying medical, means and residency conditions. In some cases there is an unavoidable timelag involved in making the necessary investigations and inquiries to enable decisions to be made. For example, there is an onus on applicants to furnish all necessary documentation. Time can elapse through delays by applicants not supplying all the necessary information in support of their claim. The average time taken to award carer's allowance is 14 weeks in the year to date. The target is to decide 70% of all claims within 13 weeks.

My Department is committed to providing a quality 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. A number of improvements have recently been introduced by my Department to directly address the efficiency of claim processing for the allowance.

A review of all existing processes and procedures has been undertaken with the explicit objective of reducing delays in claim processing. In this regard, applicants who are refused on medical eligibility grounds are provided with an interim decision. Such decisions are concluded within five weeks rather than the applicant waiting until all other aspects of their claim are decided. This allows the applicant to submit additional medical evidence if he or she so wishes at an earlier stage rather than waiting until all investigations are completed. All applications which can, on the medical evidence, be automatically medically approved, are fast-tracked. Priority is being given to claims where a decision on entitlement has been outstanding more than eight weeks.

Additional staff resources have been recently assigned specifically to improve the delivery of service. The impact of these measures will over time, lead to more efficient processing and reduce the number of claims on hand. The position will be closely monitored and kept under review by my Department.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

1320 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will extend the fuel allowance payment to the full year, rather than only from October to April; the estimated costing of such an extension for 2005; the estimated number of households this would affect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21903/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Ring

Ceist:

1322 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost per annum of extending the fuel allowance to an all year round payment; and if this will be considered for budget 2005. [21931/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Ring

Ceist:

1323 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will consider increasing the means test for the fuel allowance scheme from €50.79 per week to a more reasonable amount; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21987/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1320, 1322 and 1323 together.

The aim of the national fuel scheme is to assist householders who are in receipt of long-term social welfare or health board payments and who are unable to provide fully for their own heating needs.

A fuel allowance payment of €9 per week is paid to eligible households with an additional €3.90 per week being paid in smokeless zones, bringing the total amount in those areas to €12.90 per week.

The fuel allowances represent a contribution towards a person's normal heating expenses. In addition, many households also qualify for electricity and gas allowances. The estimated cost of the fuel allowances in 2004 is €84 million. The estimated additional cost in 2005 terms of extending the fuel allowances to a full year would be approximately €66 million giving a total cost of some €150 million. The extension would benefit some 270,000 households.

The duration of payment was increased from 26 weeks to 29 weeks in April 2001. The means test was eased with effect from October of that year and the rate of fuel allowance was increased by 42% in January 2002.

Significant increases in recent years in primary social welfare payment rates, such as the old age pension, have improved the income position for people dependent on the social welfare system. Primary payment rates are payable for the full 52 weeks of the year and hence increases in these rates are of greater benefit to social welfare recipients.

The question of further changes in the fuel allowance scheme, including changes to income disregards, is a matter for consideration in a budgetary context.

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