Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2015
68. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the updated number of applicants for jobseeker's allowance and jobseeker's benefit; the average timeframe for processing new applications; and the arrangements that are being made to process these applications in a more timely manner. [14281/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March 2015, my Department registered 14,880 claims for Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) and 11,373 for Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB). During the month the average times for the awarding of JA and JB claims were 2 weeks and 1 week, respectively.
My Department has measurable performance targets for the majority of schemes under its remit. The performance target for JA and JB is that 90% of claims are awarded within 6 weeks (JA) or 3 weeks (JB). During the month of March 2015, this performance target was achieved: 91% of JA claims and 90% of JB claims were awarded within 6 and 3 weeks respectively.
