Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1019: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will review the refusal of back to school allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29191/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) Scheme is administered on behalf of my Department by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive. Neither I nor my Department has any function in relation to decisions on individual claims.

A person may qualify for payment of a back to school clothing and footwear allowance if he or she is in receipt of a social welfare or health service executive payment, is participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education or training course, and has household income at or below certain specified levels. The weekly income limit appropriate to a lone parent family with five children is €401.30, excluding any family income supplement that may be in payment.

The Health Service Executive has advised that it has disallowed an application by the person concerned as her total household income was above the prescribed €401.30 limit for entitlement to the allowance.

It is open to her to appeal this decision to the area appeals officer of the Executive.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 1021: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason for the delay in processing family income supplement claims; the efforts which are being made to reduce the waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29264/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Family Income Supplement is designed to provide cash support for employees on low earnings with families. This preserves the incentive to remain in employment in circumstances where the employee might only be marginally better off than if he or she were claiming other social welfare payments.

To ensure that families are made aware of these improvements, my Department undertook a nationwide awareness campaign last March to promote and encourage a greatly increased take up of the family income supplement scheme for working families on low incomes. This extensive week-long campaign included advertising on TV, on national and local radio and in the national and regional press. A nation-wide poster campaign was also undertaken.

In addition, the scheme was promoted through my Department's network of Local Offices, Citizen Information Centres and Citizens Information Phone service and by Comhairle, the national information support agency. Information was also made available through my Department's website.

I am very pleased with the response so far to the campaign. For example, from March to August this year my Department received 7,329 new FIS claims; this compares with 3,612 received in the same period in 2005. My Department has received 9,734 new claims so far this year compared with 5,116 for the corresponding period in 2005. The general trend for both new claims and renewals is for growth in the numbers applying for the scheme. The advertising campaign has resulted in a higher than normal number of claims on hand (6,964) and I would expect a high percentage of these to translate into awards.

The increase in the numbers of persons receiving FIS is a positive development, reflecting the success of a range of Government measures which have improved net incomes for the low paid. However, the significant increase in applications has resulted in a backlog in claim processing.

Entitlement to FIS is based on an applicant satisfying a means test and on certification of employment by the employer. In some cases there is an unavoidable timelag involved in making the necessary investigations and enquiries to enable decisions to be made. For example, there is an onus on applicants to furnish all necessary documentation. Delays can occur through applicants not supplying all the necessary information in support of their claim.

My Department is committed to providing a quality 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 eligibility conditions which apply. Some improvements have recently been introduced to directly address the efficiency of claim processing for FIS: A review of all existing processes and procedures has been undertaken with the explicit objective of reducing delays in claim processing. Priority is being given to claims where a claim is being renewed to ensure continuity of payment. Additional staff resources have been assigned specifically to improve the delivery of service.

The impact of these measures will, over time, lead to more efficient processing and reduce the number of claims on hand. The position will be closely monitored and kept under review by my Department.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1022: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo lost their disability payment; and when this person's appeal will be heard in relation to same. [29286/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was discontinued by a Deciding Officer on 5 September 2006 following an examination by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.

The person's appeal against this decision was received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 7 September 2006. In the context of the appeal an examination by another Medical Assessor will be carried out. She will be notified of the date time and venue for the examination when arrangements are completed.

The person is currently in receipt of unemployment benefit pending the resolution of her appeal. Under Social Welfare Legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by Deciding Officers and Appeals Officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.