Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
440. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the current processing times for disability allowance, carer’s allowance and domiciliary care allowance applications in County Laois; and the actions being taken to reduce delays for applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3141/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department 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.
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. 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.
The average number of weeks to award a Disability Allowance claim is currently 6 week, exceeding the processing target for DA to award 80% of applications within 10 weeks.
Carer's allowance (CA) 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.
The average number of weeks to award a CA claim in 2025, was 6 weeks which exceeded the processing target for CA to award 80% of applications within 10 weeks.
Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly allowance payable in respect of a child aged under 16, who has a severe disability and requires continual or continuous care and attention in the home, substantially over and above the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and the child must be likely to require this level of care for at least 12 months.
The average processing time for DCA applications is currently 6 weeks.
Applicants are advised to provide as much detail and relevant information as possible at application stage, including any available additional documentary evidence that is relevant in their child's case, to ensure that all information / documentary evidence is available for consideration in the decision and assessment process, so that an appropriate decision on entitlement may be made at the earliest possible date.
An online application was launched for Carers schemes and DCA in 2025, through my Department's MyWelfare service. This will assist with the management of application processing times, and will extend to Disability supports later in 2026. Operational processes, procedures and the organisation of work are continually reviewed to ensure that processing capability is maximised. In addition, the staffing needs of the area 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 Department does not report on processing times by County. If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, the details can be provided to the Department for examination.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
