Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if there is a delay in processing family income supplement applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30127/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has consistently publicised the FIS scheme in order to maximise uptake by qualified families. Significant improvements in the qualifying income limits and ongoing awareness campaigns have resulted in a strong upward trend in the level of new claims and, consequently, in claims for renewals. Entitlement to FIS is based on an applicant satisfying a means test and on certification of employment by the employer, which adds to the time taken to process claims.

There are currently some 20,500 people in receipt of a weekly FIS payment. To date in 2007, my Department has received 34,600 new and renewal FIS claims compared to 29,800 for the same period in 2006 — an increase of over 16. %. At this time, there are some 11,000 claims on hand for finalisation, of which some 5,000 are new claims and 6,000 are renewal claims. The average time taken to award a FIS claim or renewal in 2007 (up to end of Oct) is almost 15 weeks.

My Department introduced a number of measures to address the efficiency 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 claims where a claim is being renewed to ensure continuity of payment; The ongoing staffing requirement was recently reviewed in light of the increased volumes of claims. Overtime working is being judiciously applied. These measures will, over time, lead to more efficient processing and reduce the number of claims on hand. The position is being closely monitored and kept under review by my Department.