Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 September 2024
297. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the waiting time for decision in respect of applications for various social welfare payments has been shortened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37949/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraProcessing times can vary across schemes, depending on the differing qualification criteria. Schemes that require a high level of documentary evidence from the customer, particularly in the case of illness-related schemes, can take longer to process. Similarly, means-tested payments can also require more detailed investigations and interaction with the customer, thereby lengthening the decision-making process.
My Department has introduced a wide range of initiatives aimed at streamlining the processing of claims, supported by modern technology in recent years. Operational processes, procedures and the organisation of work are continually reviewed to ensure that processing capability is maximised.
In addition, the staffing needs of my Department are regularly reviewed, having regard to workloads and the competing demands arising, to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources. The table below contains the average weeks to award by scheme by year.
|
Scheme |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
7 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
|
|
Widow(er)'s Contributory Pension |
4 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
10 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
|
|
Jobseekers Allowance |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Jobseekers Benefit |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Maternity Benefit |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
|
Paternity Benefit |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
|
Parents Benefit |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|||
|
Carer's Allowance |
14 |
7 |
4 |
6 |
6 |
|
|
Carer's Benefit |
12 |
5 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
|
|
Disability Allowance |
13 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
10 |
|
|
Invalidity Pension |
9 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
|
|
Illness Benefit |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Child Benefit |
2 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
|
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
10 |
8 |
10 |
9 |
6 |
