The Department of Social Protection is committed to providing an efficient and fair service to all customers and to processing applications as quickly as possible. Processing times vary depending on the complexity of the scheme, particularly where medical evidence and means assessments are required.
Operational processes, procedures, and the organisation of work are kept under ongoing review to maximise processing capacity and ensure resources are deployed where most needed.
Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly payment for people aged 16 to 66 with a disability expected to last at least one year, subject to medical, means, and habitual residence conditions.
The average number of weeks to award a DA application is currently 6 Weeks. I can confirm, there were 7 DA claims waiting in excess of 6 months since the initial claim application for a decision on their claim at end of November 2025.
Invalidity Pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the contribution conditions.
The average processing time for Invalidity Pension is currently 7 weeks, with 4 claims awaiting over six months for a decision.
Where applicants experience financial hardship while awaiting a decision, they may seek interim supports through the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme via my Department's Community Welfare Service.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of my Department, which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. The average processing time for DA Appeals in 2025 is 19.1 weeks and there are 17 DA appeals currently waiting 6 months or more for an appeal decision. The average processing time for IP Appeals in 2025 is 25.4 weeks, while there are 5 IP appeals currently waiting 6 months or more for an appeal decision.
The Programme for Government and the forthcoming National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025–2030 include commitments to examine means tests and address any anomalies. My Department is currently reviewing means testing across all social assistance schemes, and the findings will inform future policy decisions.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
