Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 July 2020
234. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which backlogs in respect of various headings and payments which may have arisen due to Covid-19 are being addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19503/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
There are no backlogs in most of the Department's scheme areas at present. All scheme areas are up to date on claim processing with the exception of the jobseekers scheme where there is a minimum backlog, currently being worked down. It should be noted that most current applications for a jobseekers payment are already financially better off on the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment. Priority is being given to processing jobseeker claims for persons who are not entitled to the pandemic unemployment payment or whose circumstances are such that they are entitled to more than the €350 rate on a jobseeker's payment.
I wish to reassure the Deputy that claim processing is kept under active review, with all possible steps taken to ensure good customer service.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
