Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2012
127 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the time it is currently taking to process a standard application for carer’s allowance; and if she will allocate extra resources to deal with the delays in this section. [28057/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is committed to delivering the best possible service to its customers. The average time taken to award a carer's allowance application is 28 weeks at present. This is not a satisfactory position. A major service delivery modernisation project is underway to improve the efficiency of administration of the carer's allowance scheme. This involves the deployment of information technology solutions and associated business process re-organisation. It is anticipated that the new system will introduce significant processing efficiencies and a quicker and more responsive service to the customer. Full system deployment will be achieved by mid-June so it will be a number of months before the backlog is reduced to an acceptable level.
In addition to the deployment of new systems, the Department is allocating additional resources in the form of overtime working and temporary staff to help reduce backlogs that have built up.
Entitlement to carer's allowance is based on satisfying means, residency, full-time care provision and medical suitability criteria. In all cases an application must be made by the carer in accordance with the requirements of the scheme. Each application for carer's allowance is considered on its own merits in accordance with the relevant legislation. The decision is based upon the information and medical evidence provided by the applicant.
The staffing levels and other resources available to the Department are regularly reviewed with a view to ensuring claims are processed as quickly as possible. I acknowledge that the time taken to process carer's allowance claims at present is not satisfactory but I am satisfied that the Department is taking action to resolve the situation.
