Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 591: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the target time level for processing review applications of family income supplement; and the number of occasions on average the target was met by staff within that section in each of the past six months. [20212/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Family Income Supplement (FIS) is designed to provide cash support for employees on low earnings with families. Entitlement to FIS is based on an applicant satisfying a means test and on certification of employment by the employer. My Department has consistently publicised the scheme in order to maximise uptake by qualified families. Following significant improvements in the qualifying 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, combined with the improvements in the income limits, resulted in a strong upward trend in the level of new claims. There are currently 20,247 people in receipt of a weekly FIS payment.

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 also reflected in renewals. This has resulted in an increase in the number of claims (new and renewal) on hand. Up to 14 September 2007, my Department had received 17,310 renewal FIS claims of which 6,287 were awaiting decision. The performance standard for FIS is set at 70% within 3 weeks but this has not been met in any of the past six months. The average time it takes to award a FIS claim or renewal in August 2007 was 14.52 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 were introduced to directly address the efficiency of claim processing for FIS. Renewal applications are now issued to existing FIS recipients 8 weeks before their entitlement is due to cease, with the aim of having repeat claims processed by the time their 12 month payment cycle expires.

A review of staffing requirements and processes has been completed in the light of the current volumes of new and renewal claims. Process improvements have been identified and are being implemented. These measures will, over time, lead to more efficient processing and reduce the number of renewal claims on hand. The position will be closely monitored and kept under review by my Department.