Written answers

Tuesday, 13 November 2007

Department of Social and Family Affairs

Social Welfare Benefits

9:00 pm

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 282: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be awarded and paid the State non-contributory pension from their 66th birthday. [28406/07]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned made an application for a State Pension Non Contributory in September 2007. Following investigation by a Social Welfare Inspector the customer was assessed with a weekly means of €75.57 based on following earnings:—

Net yearly earnings from holding €7,860.00

Moiety (half the means of a couple living together) €3,930.00

She was informed on 23 October 2007 that she would be entitled to a State Pension Non Contributory at the reduced rate of €152.50 per week from the 11 January 2008. She was also informed that she would be better off financially to remain as a qualified adult on her spouse's State Pension (Contributory), which will be payable at the weekly rate of €173.00 from 11 January 2008 when she reaches 66 years of age. As it is the Department's policy to pay the higher amount, it is proposed that she remain as a qualified adult on her spouse's contributory pension. She can avail of the option of having the qualified adult allowance paid directly to her by returning the form that has issued for this purpose.

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a renewal application for family income supplement for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was received in his Department; the length of time it took to process the application; when a decision was reached; and if the payment has commenced to the applicant. [28463/07]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Due to high volumes of claims in the FIS section, there have been delays in processing claims. My Department has introduced measures to directly address the timeliness of claim processing for FIS:

A review of existing processes and procedures has been carried out with the explicit objective of reducing delays in claim processing;

Priority is being given to renewal claims to ensure continuity of payment;

Additional resources have been applied specifically to improve delivery of service and the ongoing staffing requirement has been reviewed.

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

The person concerned was awarded Family Income Supplement (FIS) for a period of 12 months from 20th July 2006 and payment continued to 18th July 2007. She made a renewal claim on 2nd July 2007. This claim was not examined until the 22nd of October 2007. When the case was examined, it was found that the applicant was in receipt of Illness Benefit payment of 240.80 euro per week. This payment continued until 1st of September. A decision was made on the FIS renewal application on 22/10/2007. The person concerned was awarded FIS at the weekly rate of €246 from 06/09/2007. The first payment, including arrears of €1968 was made on 30 October 2007.

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