Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 408: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason for the delay in processing family income supplement claims; the efforts being made to reduce the waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17141/07]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 413: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a backlog of family income supplement claims exists; if so, the number of applications currently awaiting decision; the number of these which are renewals; the average amount of time it is currently taking to process an application; the measures his Department is taking to address the delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17202/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 408 and 413 together.

The Family Income Supplement (FIS) is an income support for employees on low earnings with families. There are currently 20,780 people in receipt of a weekly FIS payment with an average value of over €130. Entitlement to FIS is based on an applicant satisfying a means test and on certification of employment by the employer. My Department has publicised the scheme regularly in order to maximise uptake by qualified families. Following significant increases in the income limits in the 2006 budget, my Department undertook a week-long nationwide awareness campaign in March of that year to encourage increased take up of the scheme. This campaign, combined with the improvements in the income limits, resulted in a strong upward trend in the level of new claims. During 2006 some 13,608 new claims were received. This compared with 7,781 claims in 2005 — an increase of 75 %.

Family Income Supplement is paid for 52 weeks provided a person continues to meet the qualifying conditions, and a claim for renewal may then be made. The upward trend in new claims is reflected in volumes of claims for renewals. Renewals to 23rd June 2007 are 12,278 compared to 9,889 received in the same period in 2006. This represents an increase of 24%. This has resulted in an increase in the number of claims on hand.

To date in 2007, my Department has received 18,249 new and renewal FIS claims and has decided a total of 14,766 cases. At 1st June 07 there were 8,068 claims awaiting decision. These were comprised of 3,526 new claims and 4,542 renewal claims. The average time it takes to award a FIS claim or renewal in 2007 (up to end of May) is 10.16 weeks.

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. Measures have been introduced to directly address the timeliness of claim processing for FIS: A review of existing processes and procedures has been undertaken with the explicit objective of reducing delays in claim processing; Priority is being given to cases where a claim is being renewed to ensure continuity of payment; Additional resources have been assigned specifically to improve delivery of service, and the ongoing staffing requirement is under review.

These measures will, over time, lead to more efficient processing and reduce the number of claims on hand. The position is being kept under review by my Department.