Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason there is an average of 15 weeks delay in processing applications for the carer's allowance; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that such delays cause hardship to persons who are caring for elderly or incapacitated relatives; the action he is taking to deal with the backlog; his views on the optimum time for processing such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15491/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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It takes 15 weeks on average at present to finalise claims for carer's allowance. During 2006, the average was just over ten weeks and in 2005, the average was almost 13 weeks.

The reason for the current increase in average claim processing times is the increase in the number of claims being submitted. The number of claims submitted in 2006 was more than 20% higher than the total for 2005. A number of steps were taken to deal with this, including the deployment of additional staff and a revision of processing procedures to improve efficiency. As a result, the number of claims finalised in 2006 was 9% higher than the total for 2005.

While this led to an improvement in average claim processing times compared to the previous year, it did not keep pace with the increase in the volume of new claims. As a result, average claim processing times have lengthened in 2007. The number of claims submitted so far this year shows a further increase of more than 5% compared to the same period last year. There are over 28,000 carers' allowances in payment at present, compared to 25,000 at the end of 2005 and 23,000 at the end of 2004. There are currently 2,977 cases awaiting a decision, of which 67% were received within the past eight weeks. The majority of claims currently on hand will be processed within 15 weeks. With regard to the optimum claim processing time, my Department's aim is that 70% of claims for carer's allowance should be decided within nine weeks of submission.

Entitlement to carer's allowance is based on an applicant satisfying medical, means and residency conditions. In determining entitlement to the allowance there are, in certain cases, unavoidable time lags involved in making the necessary investigations and inquiries. Delays can also arise if persons applying for the allowance are not in a position to supply all the necessary information in support of their claim.

Many applicants for carer's allowance are already in receipt of another social welfare payment while their claim is being processed. Such payments will normally continue until entitlement to their carer's allowance is determined. Claimants who are not in receipt of any other social welfare payment may apply for supplementary welfare allowance in the interim period.

The resources available to my Department must be deployed to ensure good customer service, prevent fraud and abuse of the schemes and achieve value for money. My Department is engaged in an ongoing process to ensure that available resources are prioritised to the greatest extent possible on frontline service delivery and to ensure that the best possible standard of response is provided across the range of schemes and services. The position will be kept under review to ensure that the best possible level of customer service and customer response continues to be provided.

This approach brought about an improvement in claim processing times in 2006 compared to 2005. I am confident claim processing times will improve in the coming months.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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This was raised with me by constituents who found it would take 15 weeks to process their claim, something they did not expect. They pointed out that their circumstances had disimproved because they had taken on the role of carer. At this most vulnerable time in their lives, they expected State support and were disappointed to find such a long delay in securing an allowance.

I understand there can be complex cases but the vast majority of cases are straightforward. Is there any explanation for the increase in the number of claims? Could it be related to people being concerned about keeping their relatives out of hospital because of their worries about the health service?

Nine weeks is a long optimum time. I can understand that there will be cases that will take nine weeks because investigation is necessary, but I am surprised that most cases take more than four weeks. Why is that the case?

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Obviously, if there is a relaxation of the means test, it would be anticipated that there would be additional applications. Were additional staff deployed specifically for this purpose? What does the Minister mean by fast-tracking cases? Does the Minister agree that family carers play a critical role at a time when they could be a drain on public resources? Extra attention must be paid to them to ensure such delays no longer happen.

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Staff are deployed throughout the Department wherever pressure points arise. Upwards of 5,000 people are spread across the Department and they work under substantial pressure on the new schemes, making changes and improvements they are asked to implement on a daily basis. I cannot say that staff were specifically deployed to carers but the Secretary General deploys staff wherever pressure points arise as he sees fit.

By fast-tracked I mean the Department will bring good judgment to bear on claims. Those that are outstanding for over eight weeks will receive earlier attention, as will those where there is serious illness involved, the medical evidence is clear or documentary procedures can be expedited by intervention by the Department. All cases are important but we want the most urgent to be dealt with first.

I will not rehearse my view on carers; I agree entirely with Deputy Murphy on their social value. It behoves all of us to make improvements for carers who look after those who require it.