Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

It is partly my fault because I have made so many changes in the area in the past two and a half years, putting enormous pressure on the system, by relaxing the means test and improving the different allowances and their levels. On top of that, there is this year's decision to pay a half rate carer's allowance to anyone in receipt of another welfare payment. There has been enormous pressure on those dealing with the carer's allowance and benefit in the Department. Those involved must satisfy medical, means and residency conditions. The number of claims submitted in 2006 was 20% higher than in 2005, a direct result of us ensuring more people are eligible to claim the allowance by relaxing the means test so more people are taken into the system.

All applications that can be automatically approved medically are being fast-tracked. Special arrangements apply in cases of extreme or serious illness as part of the medical assessment procedure. Priority is being given to claims where a decision on entitlement has been outstanding for more than eight weeks. Processes and procedures within the decision section have been examined to eradicate any processes that can contribute to the delay. Every effort is being made to address the backlog. I regret the delays but they are the direct result of an enormous increase in applications brought about by a relaxation in conditions and trying to ensure more people are eligible for carer's allowance and benefit and respite care grants.

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