Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 September 2012
215. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting time for an application for jobseeker's benefit; the number of applicants currently waiting for their jobseeker's benefit application to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40331/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra216. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting time for an application for jobseeker's allowance; the number of applicants currently waiting for their jobseeker's allowance application to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40332/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra220. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting time for an application for one parent family payment; the number of applicants currently waiting for their one parent family payment application to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40336/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 215, 216 and 220 together.
Processing times vary across schemes because of both the volume of applications and the differing qualification criteria. For example, means assessments are required for all of the social assistance schemes and customers must also satisfy the habitual residence condition. In the case of the insurance based schemes, it may be necessary to ascertain details of foreign insurance records. It should also be noted that many factors outside the Department's control can impact upon claim processing times, for example, the supply of relevant information by the customer, employers or other third parties.
The average processing time for claims decided in August 2012 was 2.3 weeks for jobseekers benefit, 4.5 weeks for jobseekers allowance and 12.2 weeks for one parent family payment. This is the average time nationally and there are fluctuations between offices.
The number of claims pending decision at week ending 16 September was 6,523 jobseekers benefit, 22,753 jobseekers allowance and 3,625 one-parent family payment.
