Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 April 2026
15. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current average processing times for disability allowance and carer’s allowance applications in Galway east; the steps being taken to address delays being experienced by applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31110/26]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made in a timely manner.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the average time to process a claim for Disability Allowance in March 2026 was 5 weeks. The average time to process a claim for Carer’s Allowance in March 2026 was 6 weeks.
Processing times and targets are reviewed annually, the target processing times for Carer’s Allowance for 2026 is 80% of claims within 10 weeks. The target for Disability Allowance was increased from 70% in 10 weeks to 80% in 10 weeks.
Both Carer’s Allowance and Disability Allowance are meeting these targets; for the period January to March 2026 an average of 83% of Carer’s Allowance claims are awarded within 10 weeks, while 89% of Disability Allowance claims are awarded within 10 weeks. Claims are processed centrally, and statistics on the location of the applicant are not maintained.
The processing time for individual claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information the person provides in support of their claim.
When determining someone’s suitability for Disability Allowance, evidence must be examined in respect of the applicant’s medical condition, the extent to which it restricts them from taking up employment, their means and their habitual residency.
Carer's allowance is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
To assist 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.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
