Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 368: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of people eligible for the family income supplement; the number of people in receipt of same; the average length of time to process applications; the reason for any delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32586/07]

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. FIS is paid for 52 weeks provided a person continues to meet the qualifying conditions and a claim for renewal may then be made. With regard to the level of take up, it is not possible to estimate from administrative sources the number of families who would be eligible but do not apply for their FIS entitlements. There are currently over 20,800 people in receipt of FIS.

Entitlement to FIS is based on an applicant satisfying a means test and on certification of employment by the employer. The Department has consistently publicised the scheme in order to maximise uptake by qualified families, and undertakes a number of measures to ensure that people are aware of possible entitlement to FIS. These include advice to all persons who are awarded one parent family payment and back to work allowance recipients.

All employers are provided annually with information about the FIS scheme. Information on FIS is contained in all child benefit books and can be accessed on the Department's website. The Revenue Commissioners have also included information on FIS when writing to PAYE taxpayers with their certificates of tax credits.

Following significant improvements in the qualifying income limits in the 2006 budget, the 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 and consequently, claims for renewals.

To date in 2007, the Department has received some 36,000 new and renewal FIS claims and has finalised a total of almost 30,000 cases. The average time it currently takes to award a FIS claim or renewal is close to 15 weeks.

The Department is taking action to improve the efficiency of claim processing to ensure that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are issued as expeditiously as possible. Among the following measures being taken, a review of existing processes and procedures has been completed by the Department with the explicit objective of reducing delays in claim processing; and improvements are being implemented. Priority is being given to renewal claims to ensure continuity of payment; overtime working is being done. Staffing requirements were recently reviewed and are being monitored on a ongoing basis in the light of the current volumes of claims and renewals. These measures will lead to more efficient processing and reduce the number of claims on hand. The position is being closely monitored and kept under review by the Department.

Beverley Flynn (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 369: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the decision taken to refuse an application by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo for carers allowance will be reviewed. [31871/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Respite Care Grant is payable to all carers, irrespective of means or contribution record, but subject to certain conditions, relating notably to employment.

The person concerned was refused a Respite Care Grant on the grounds that the Deciding Officer in her case was not satisfied that she was providing full-time care and attention. This decision was based on information supplied by the person concerned on her application form

She was recently notified of this decision and of her right to appeal it. To date, according to my Department's records, no such appeal has been lodged. However, the Deciding Officer will now review the entitlement of the person concerned taking into account the additional details of care supplied in connection with this Question. A fresh decision will be issued to the person concerned as soon as possible.