Paul Donnelly
Ceist:695. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the processing times for disability allowance applications in each of the first nine months of 2024. [45054/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 5 November 2024
Ceisteanna (695)
Freagraí scríofa
My 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 7 weeks. My Department understands the many pressures faced by people and always seeks to ensure that claims are processed quickly and efficiently.
The table below shows the processing times for disability allowance applications in each of the first nine months of 2024 as requested:
|
2024 Month |
Processing Time (weeks) |
|
January |
12 |
|
February |
13 |
|
March |
12 |
|
April |
11 |
|
May |
8 |
|
June |
7 |
|
July |
6 |
|
August |
6 |
|
September |
7 |
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 ensure the Department can make timely and fair decisions, applicants should ensure that they complete the application form fully and attach all the supporting documentation required as per the checklist 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.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.