Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2012
121 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting lists for welfare claims in her Department; the measures she has taken to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28067/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra139 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the current average processing times for applications across all schemes and the same for 2011; and the steps she is taking to reduce same. [28051/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 139 together.
The Department is committed to ensuring that claims are processed as expeditiously as possible. As can be seen from the data in the table below (showing processing times for 2011 and for April 2012) which I will make available to the House, schemes that require a high level of documentary evidence from the customer, particularly in the case of illness related schemes, can take longer to process. Similarly, means tested payments can also require more detailed investigation and interaction with the applicant, thereby lengthening the decision making process.
As part of the Department's programme of service delivery modernisation, a range of initiatives aimed at streamlining the processing of claims, supported by modern technology, have been implemented in recent years. Operational processes, procedures and the organisation of work are continually reviewed to ensure that processing capability is maximised.
In addition, the staffing needs of the Department are regularly reviewed, having regard to workloads and the competing demands arising, to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources. The Department will continue to source available staff to fill critical vacancies by way of redeployment, or transfer from within the Department and other Government Departments, taking account of the employment control framework (ECF) target, as determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
I wish to assure the Deputies that prompt processing of claims remains a priority for me.
|
Scheme |
2011Average weeks to Award |
April 2012Average weeks to Award |
|
State Pension (contributory) |
6 |
6 |
|
State Pension (transitional) |
3 |
5 |
|
State pension (non-contributory) |
9 |
11 |
|
Widow(er)’s Pension (contributory) |
3 |
2 |
|
Widow(er)’s Pension (non-contributory) pension and one parent family payment (widow) |
10 |
11 |
|
One Parent Family |
16 |
17 |
|
Household Benefits |
2 |
1 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
1 |
1 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
N/A |
31 |
|
Family Income Supplement — New Claims |
15 |
17 |
|
Disability Allowance |
17 |
N/A |
|
Carer’s Benefit |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Carer’s Allowance |
13 |
28 |
|
Jobseeker’s Benefit |
5 |
2 |
|
Jobseeker’s Allowance |
5 |
5 |
|
Illness Benefit |
1 |
1 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Child Benefit — Domestic |
3 |
3 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
8 |
6 |
|
Back to Education Allowance |
Applicants for BTEA are already in receipt of another social welfare payment before a decision is made on their entitlement to the Allowance. |
