Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2014
185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which backlogs have been addressed in respect of various headings and payments operated by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40371/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is committed to ensuring that claims are processed as expeditiously as possible and that backlogs of claims are kept to a minimum. Each scheme area is continuously monitored and reviewed to ensure customers are responded to as quickly as possible. In this regard, the Department has had major success in clearing backlogs, notably in the disability and caring schemes. The following Table provides details of processing times for each of the Department’s schemes in September 2014 and the current number of claims pending in each scheme.
Processing times vary across schemes, depending on the differing qualification criteria. 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.
Table: Claim processing times – September 2014
|
Scheme |
Average weeks to award |
No. Pending Claims at end September 2014 |
|
State Pension (contributory) |
5 |
2,446 |
|
State Pension (transition) |
12 |
851 |
|
Widow(er)’s Pension (contributory) |
2 |
469 |
|
One Parent Family |
9 |
1,857 |
|
Household Benefits |
2 |
3,113 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
10 |
856 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
8 (Est. average weeks to award a new claim, excluding claims which are awarded following a review and/or appeal process following initial disallowance). |
2,161 |
|
Family Income Supplement - New Claims |
3 (In general, renewal FIS claims are currently processed in advance of previous claim expiry and new FIS claims are processed within 3 weeks of receipt) |
2,037 |
|
Disability Allowance |
11 (Est. average weeks to award a new claim excluding claims which are awarded following a review and/or appeal process following initial disallowance.) |
6,485 |
|
Carer’s Allowance |
12 (Est. average weeks to award a new claim, excluding claims which are awarded following a review and/or appeal process following initial disallowance.) |
4,902 |
|
Jobseeker’s Benefit |
1 |
2,642 |
|
Jobseeker’s Allowance |
2 |
10,334 |
|
Illness Benefit |
1 |
1,828 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
2 (In July 97% of Maternity Benefit claims were awarded 2 weeks prior to the commencement of maternity leave) |
6,079 |
|
Child Benefit |
- |
1,686 |
|
- Domestic |
2 |
- |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
13 |
1,194 |
|
- |
- |
- |
|
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. |
- |
