Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Again, we had a very detailed and lengthy discussion about this issue on Committee Stage. I have pointed out that while having a fixed period sounds very attractive on the surface, in practice our system is rooted in the fact that we allow constant reviews and the input of new information. A very good feature of the Irish system is that if there is more or better information available, that we allow all of it to be input and that we allow constant reviews, even after a negative decision on appeal has been made. This is a very important area for the Department. My officials have a project under way to review persons in receipt of disability benefit who should receive invalidity pension, which is a little opposite to what Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh said. Just as many people apply incorrectly for invalidity pension, although there is a strong possibility that they may return to work, there are those in receipt of disability benefit who would be better off receiving invalidity pension. We are examining internal review processes to see if we can identify such persons and offer them whatever is the best option, given their conditions. The new IT system has made much of this possible.

The other difficulty we have is the huge increase in the volume of applications. We have improved the IT system, but, understandably in the context of the recession, huge additional numbers have been applying for social protection payments. As people begin to go back to work, thankfully in increasing numbers, it is likely that the volumes will begin to taper off, but it has been an enormous challenge. We have put a great deal of investment into upgrading the IT system, but the best way to improve outcomes is by having better quality information at all stages of the process because a general letter of support from a doctor is not what is required. It has to be specific. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh has said it can take people time to get consultants to produce reports, but we allow these reports to be sent in. For instance, in the case of difficulties in respect of domiciliary care allowance raised by many Deputies for children with severe behavioural difficulties in some instances and also for children on the autism or Asperger's syndrome spectrum, we have revamped the system to give people much more time to take into account the fact that they may have to wait for an appointment to see a consultant and obtain a letter. We are constantly seeking to improve the system and will continue to do so.

My own view is that having a fixed time limit would not be helpful. I strongly believe Deputies would be back here quickly to ask for it to be lifted because inevitably it would stop the constant review process that we allow in the Irish system as opposed to that in the system in the United Kingdom. I recognise that the Deputies have concerns, but we are constantly reviewing the information we give people. I have said previously that we spend approximately €47 million on Citizens Information and the Money Advice and Budgetary Service and it is important that we have a greater level of advertising of the availability of this information. Also, as we move to have work on all of the Intreo offices finished by the end of the year or the beginning of next year, I hope we will have much better points of information and direct telephone helplines available for individuals. Alternatively, if they go to the general reception desk in the Intreo office, they can have a word about the type of application they may wish to make or be referred to their local Citizens Information centre.

I do not propose to accept the amendment, but I will come back to the Deputies on the issue. At the committee I referred to the significant reductions that had been made in waiting times as a result of the new IT system and I hope we will continue to improve on these times.

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