Dáil debates

Wednesday, 15 February 2012

3:00 pm

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

I thank Deputy Kevin Humphreys for raising this important issue. Approximately 52,000 people are currently in receipt of carer's allowance. Approximately 22,000 of them receive the half-rate carer's allowance in addition to another primary social welfare payment. The rates of payment for carer's allowance were maintained in budget 2012. In addition, no changes were made to the means test for carer's allowance. The current income disregards for eligibility for the allowance - the amounts recipients can earn that are not counted for the means test - are €332 per week for a single person and €655 per week for a couple. The increased payment for those caring for more than one person was also retained. Carers continue to get an annual respite care grant of €1,700 in respect of each person for whom they care. In the third quarter of 2011, the average time taken to award a carer's allowance application was 17 weeks. Figures for the last quarter of 2011 are not yet available as a consequence of the introduction of a new claims processing system in the carer's allowance area. New claims are being processed on the new system but older claims are still being processed on the old system. Figures for processing times in January on the new system will be available shortly.

To meet the challenge of increased volumes of new claims for its schemes, the Department has embarked on a major programme of process redesign and modernisation, including the deployment of new computer systems. This new processing system is being introduced for the carer's allowance scheme. The first tranche of new carer's allowance claims began to be processed under the new system in August 2011. It is anticipated that the new system will introduce significant processing efficiencies and provide a quicker and more responsive service to the customer. Accordingly, the project is being given high priority. As it involves a significant level of time and commitment from the relevant staff in the Department, it has had a short-term negative impact on claim processing times. This is expected to continue until the completion of the modernisation project in June of this year, when all existing carer's allowance claims will be transferred to the new processing system.

Some 7,698 applications are registered as awaiting a decision at present. This marks a reduction from the figure of 8,540 at the beginning of September 2011. I acknowledge that the time taken to process carer's allowance claims at present is not satisfactory. I am satisfied that the Department is taking appropriate steps to resolve the situation. In addition to dealing with the approximately 330 new carer's allowance applications that are received each week, overtime working is being applied to help to reduce the backlogs that have built up. A significant number of months are expected to elapse before the backlog is reduced to an acceptable level. While the new systems and processes will facilitate a significant improvement in overall processing times, it should be noted that individual claims may continue to take some time to process. Delays can also arise if those applying for the allowance are not in a position to supply all the necessary information in support of their claims.

In the meantime, if a person's means are insufficient to meet his or her needs while awaiting a decision on a claim, he or she can apply for a means-tested supplementary welfare allowance payment. As a result of the large increase in the volume of applications, the Department correctly decided to move to a new system that will process claims more efficiently and quickly. This effect will be most noticeable in cases of claims that are completely in order. However, the transition to the new system means it is more complicated. We hope to have this process finished by the end of June.

Comments

DREDA PROUT
Posted on 24 May 2012 8:30 pm (Report this comment)

just wondering if anyone knows what the waiting list is like now for a decision on carers allowance.. i have been waiting since november and just wondering if it will be much longer. Thanks :)

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