Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2024
20. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered any options to improve the speed with which applications for disability allowance or similar means-tested payments are processed thus eliminating hardship for people who may be vulnerable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18337/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.The average number of weeks to award a Disability Allowance claim is currently 12 weeks. My Department understands the many pressures faced by people and always seeks to ensure that claims are processed quickly and efficiently.In respect of DA, evidence must be provided in respect of the person’s medical condition, the extent to which it restricts them from taking up employment, their means and their habitual residency. To help the Department to make timely and fair decisions on applications, applicants should ensure that they complete the application form fully and attach all the supporting documentation required as per the checklist provided on the application form. It is particularly important that an applicant provides, at the outset, all the details they have in relation to their medical conditions to best support their claim.In order to register a claim and establish an early entitlement or claim date many people submit an application without first securing all of the necessary supporting documentation. Claims with missing supporting information typically take longer to process. In response to an increase in application volumes of 10% over the past year the Department has increased the number of officers processing new DA claims and there has been a recent restructuring to better manage current and incoming claims. Reviews and refinements of internal processes are underway to enhance efficiency in processing DA claims. This includes prioritising applications from people in urgent situations, or those who may not already be in receipt of a payment from my Department.It is important to note that about 80% of awarded DA applicants are already in receipt of another social welfare payment meaning that any processing time does not affect their income. People who are not in receipt of another payment can be prioritised for processing or can be awarded an interim payment via the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Where a claim is decided in a person's favour after a delay, DA arrears will issue to the customer dated back to the date their claim was received.I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
