Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Will the Minister undertake to publish the advisory group's report on the disability and domiciliary care allowances when she receives it?

In a reply to me, dated 23 August 2012, the Minister gave me statistics on the disability allowance. In 2009, there were 20,794 applications received and the number disallowed was 9,677, indicating a success rate of 55% or refusal rate of 45%. In 2010, there were 21,409 applications received and 10,316 were disallowed, again suggesting a rejection rate of 45% and an acceptance rate of 55%. However, in 2011, the number of applications received was 24,264 while the number of applications refused was 14,116, representing a success rate of 38%. Therefore, the success rate decreased from 55% over the preceding two years to 38% in 2011. The figures for the year to date up to September, which the Minister has just given, indicate a 37% success rate.

Does the Minister agree that it appears a different approach is being taken to applications for disability allowance, in that the success rates have suddenly dropped from 55% in 2009 and 2010 to 38% and 27% in 2011 and 2012, respectively?

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