Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 122: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs further to a previous parliamentary question reply (details supplied), the further evidence he requires from the person referred to in the reply. [11026/08]

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

Following receipt of further information from the person concerned on 7 March 2008 regarding his self-employment status, a Deciding Officer re-assessed his weekly means as nil from 28 January 2008. This assessment entitles him to a jobseeker's allowance payment at the maximum weekly rate, which in his case, is €425.10 from that date. A first payment, including arrears, will issue to him on 19 March 2008.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 123: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason it takes on average six months to process applications in respect of family income supplement; his views on whether this time is appropriate, having regard to the circumstances of applicants for this payment; and if he will make a statement on the way he will speed up the process. [11040/08]

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

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 23,400 people in receipt of a weekly FIS payment. In 2007, my Department received 36,900 new and renewal FIS claims compared to 33,000 in 2006 and 23,000 in 2005 — an increase of over 60% on 2005 and 11% on 2006. In the first 10 weeks of 2008 over 9,000 new and renewal claims were received compared to some 7,900 in the same period in 2007 — an increase of 14%. However almost all renewal claims are still in payment. The average time taken to award a FIS claim or renewal in 2007 was just under 12 weeks. The average time in 2006 was just under 8 weeks.

The Department introduced a number of measures to address the efficiency of claim processing for FIS as follows: 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; and 5 extra temporary staff started this week in an effort to eliminate the backlog. 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.