The Live Register has increased to unprecedented levels as a result of the economic downturn that the country is currently experiencing. The length of time it takes to process claims varies depending on the complexity of the claim, the availability of the necessary documentation from the applicant or his/her employer and the need to carry out additional enquires including assessment of means and whether the claimant satisfies the Habitual Residence Condition.
Furthermore, processing times can vary from office to office for a number of reasons including the extent of the increased number of claims, the number of staff vacancies, the duration of such vacancies and the turnover of staff in the office which impacts on the overall level of experience in the office.
The average time for jobseeker's allowance claims decided in April was 7 weeks. During the past year additional staff have been assigned to local offices. In addition, as many local offices are very close to capacity as regards accommodating further staff, we have set up a number of central support units around the country. Four such units are currently set up in Dublin, Sligo, Finglas and Carrick-on-Shannon. Each unit has 10 staff. It is now planned to establish three further units with 10 staff each in Roscommon, Tallaght and Wexford. As well as assigning additional staff to local offices, a further 16 Social Welfare Inspectors have been assigned to various locations throughout the country to undertake means testing and other work associated with processing claims for the jobseeker's allowance.
The Department recognises that the provision of additional staff in itself will not deal with the rising claimload. Since early 2008 we have been examining all aspects of the work associated with the processing of claims and streamlining them wherever possible without, of course, compromising our scheme controls.
The following initiatives have been introduced at all local and branch offices. A new streamlined process has been introduced for people who had a claim in the previous 2 years. The application form has been simplified so that the claimant has only to provide details of circumstances that have changed since the previous claim. A simplified procedure has been introduced for people moving to jobseeker's allowance when their jobseeker's benefit expires. More straight-forward procedures have been introduced for providing evidence of identity and address.
Application forms for jobseeker schemes are now available on the Department's website with comprehensive information on claiming a jobseeker's payment including details of the supporting documents required. This means that a person making a claim for jobseeker's benefit or allowance can download and complete a claim form and bring it to their nearest local office. An appointment system for taking claims is in operation in a number of offices. There are plans to extend this to other offices with high volumes of new claims over the coming months.
In addition, a review of the processes involved in administering claims for those who are working reduced hours i.e. part-time, casual and systematic short time is under way. The existing arrangements are very labour intensive and it is envisaged that more streamlined arrangements, which will benefit both customers and the Department, will be introduced in the near future.
These improvements are part of a programme of initiatives being developed by the Department to streamline processes and procedures in local and branch offices and it is intended that further improvements will be implemented on an ongoing basis during 2009. The Deputy will be aware that anyone who is under financial pressure while awaiting a decision on their claim for a jobseeker's payment can apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is subject to a means test and other qualifying conditions.