Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 808: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the average length of time involved in processing an application for the carer's allowance (details supplied); if additional staff will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1681/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is committed to providing a quality customer service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are issued as expeditiously as possible having regard to the relevant eligibility conditions.

Entitlement to carer's allowance is based on an applicant satisfying medical, means and residency conditions. In cases of extreme or terminal illness my Department has specific arrangements in place to ensure that such applications are processed as quickly and sensitively as possible so that payment can be put into place at the earliest possible juncture.

In determining entitlement to the allowance there are, in certain cases unavoidable time lags involved in making the necessary investigations and inquiries to enable accurate decisions to be made. In addition to the work my Department has to carry out, there is an onus also on applicants to furnish all necessary documentation. Time can elapse through delays by persons applying for the allowance in supplying all the necessary information in support of their claim. The average time for deciding an application for receipt of carer's allowance is currently 7.5 weeks, although in many cases they are processed within a far shorter timeframe. Many applicants for carer's allowance are already in receipt of another social welfare payment while their claim is being processed. Such payments normally continue until entitlement to their carer's allowance is determined.

In the case of carer's allowance, the Department's performance target is to award 70% of claims within nine weeks. This target has been met in two of the last three months, the exception being December when 65% of claims were decided within nine weeks.

The staff and other resources available to my Department are deployed to ensure good customer service, to prevent fraud and abuse of the schemes and to achieve value for money. The situation is reviewed on a regular basis. I am satisfied that the resources assigned to the carer's allowance scheme are adequate to meet the demands of the service.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 809: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of people who applied for the carer's allowance in 2005; the number of claimants who were successful and the number who were refused; the numbers refused in each category of refusal such as means, caring being provided and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1709/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently 25,077 persons receiving carer's allowance. This is the highest total since the scheme was introduced. My Department received 8,846 applications for carer's allowance in 2005. A total of 8,793 were decided, of which 5,066 applications were awarded and another 960 were withdrawn. The number of persons who had their initial application for the allowance refused was 2,767.

Following the submission of additional medical information or other relevant information to my Department, a number of these applications were subsequently reviewed. Some 792 refusals were either revised in favour of the applicant or awarded on appeal. As a result, the number of persons who were refused the allowance was 1,975. Accordingly, the rate of refusal for the allowance is 22% of all applications that were received in 2005.

The reasons these 1,975 did not qualify for the allowance are as follows. Some 966 applications were refused as the care was deemed to be not in need of full-time care and attention; 199 applications were refused as means were in excess of the weekly limit; 106 applications were refused as the carer was employed in excess of ten hours per week; 193 applications were refused as full-time care and attention was not being provided; and 58 applications were refused as the habitual residence condition was not satisfied. The remaining 453 claims were refused for other reasons. All persons who apply for carers allowance are informed regarding any decision on their entitlement and the reasons for it. In addition, where a person is refused the allowance he or she is advised of a right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

Support for and recognition of carers is a continuing priority for Government. Payments to carers have been improved and qualifying conditions for carers allowance have been significantly eased. Coverage of the scheme has been extended and new schemes such as the respite care grant have been introduced and enhanced. The further development of support for carers continues to be a priority for me and for Government as reflected in the various budget enhancements I am providing for in 2006.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 810: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was not entitled to the unemployment benefit on ceasing employment; the further reason this has been determined as an overpayment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1743/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned received unemployment benefit for the period 9 September 2003 to 18 February 2004. When he made his application he stated that his employment had terminated due to lack of work. On 9 September 2003, the employer was requested to confirm this. On 20 February 2004, the employer replied to the query stating that the person concerned was on a career break. A deciding officer, therefore, disallowed the unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned for the period 9 September 2003 to 18 February 2004 as he was not available for work. The person concerned did not appeal this decision. As result of the decision the person concerned received unemployment benefit amounting to €3,888.60, to which he is not entitled and which is recoverable.

The person concerned is in receipt of disability benefit at the weekly rate of €165.80 since 26 September 2005.