Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2015
88. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the length of time it takes for a file to be transferred from the family income supplement section to the appeals section, due to the backlog being experienced there; the length of time this volume of work is building up; the measures being taken to address this backlog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27477/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Family income supplement (FIS) is designed to provide support for employees on low earnings with families.
All first-time new FIS claims continue to be processed promptly on receipt with renewal applications being dealt with in advance of the expiry of their current payment.
If an applicant is dissatisfied with a decision on their entitlement to FIS they can appeal against it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
In the first instance the Social Welfare Appeals Office refer the case back to FIS section for clarification. If the applicant remains dissatisfied with the outcome after clarification they can progress to full appeal.
In recent months the priority has been to process new FIS applications particularly those claiming on foot of recent changes to the One Parent Family payment. Consequently there is some with clarification requests. However additional resources will be assigned to deal with clarification requests over the coming weeks, in order to bring it up to date.
