Written answers
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Department of Social and Family Affairs
Social Welfare Benefits
9:00 pm
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of applicants for various social welfare payments by category, including those on appeal, who are currently awaiting a decision on their application; the length of time taken to process an application for any particular payment; the extent of the backlog and waiting time relative to each heading; the cause or causes of such backlogs or delays if known; the action proposed or in place to address the issue; the anticipated time for the resolution of any backlogs or delays; and the extent, if any, of reallocation or redistribution of responsibilities within the system which may directly or indirectly affect the speed with which applications are dealt with [15484/10]
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 723: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the action he has taken or proposes to take to address the backlog of applications for various social welfare payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15829/10]
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 724: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the time taken to process applications for various social welfare payments; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15830/10]
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 725: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of applications for various social welfare payments currently on hand and awaiting a decision; when he expects this backlog to be cleared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15831/10]
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 727: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he intends to take initiatives to speed up the processing of applications for various social welfare payments, having particular regard to the hardship caused arising from delays in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15833/10]
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 729: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the initiatives he intends to take to eliminate hardship caused by the delays in the processing of applications for social welfare payments in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15835/10]
Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 723 to 725, inclusive, 727 and 729 together.
Details on claim volumes, claims pending, processing times, and backlogs (where they exist) for all schemes are detailed in Table 1 below.
Details of average Jobseeker's Benefit and Jobseeker's Allowance claims pending and processing times by Social Welfare Local Office are detailed in Tables 2-4 below and details of cases currently on appeal and average appeals processing times are detailed separately in Table 5.
The Department is committed to delivering the best possible service to its customers. To this end, operational processes and procedures and the organisation of work are continually reviewed in all areas of the Department. These reviews are supported by modern technology, the potential of which is continuously harnessed. Claims are processed in the most efficient and expeditious way possible, having regard to the eligibility conditions that apply to each scheme.
Processing times vary across schemes because of both the volume of applications and the differing qualification criteria. For example, means assessments are required for all of the social assistance schemes; medical examinations are required for illness related schemes and customers must also satisfy the habitual residence conditions. In the case of the insurance based schemes, it may be necessary to ascertain details of foreign insurance records.
It should also be noted that many factors outside the Department's control can impact upon claim processing times e.g. the supply of relevant information by the customer, employers or other third parties.
In the meantime, it is important to remember that people who have urgent income support needs can apply for the means tested supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) and that more than 95% of basic SWA applications are decided on and paid within a week.
Specific Process Improvements
From January 2009, new processing targets, based on processing 90% of claims within a particular timescale, varying from scheme to scheme, were introduced for all schemes. Specific process improvements have also been introduced across many areas of the Department. Some examples are as follows:
Jobseekers
Some 450 extra staff have been assigned to local offices, new Central Support Units and the Departments Inspectorate. At the same time the Department has been examining procedures surrounding the claim acceptance and decisions process with a view to streamlining them and achieving greater efficiencies where possible. They include:
An appointment system whereby claimants can have their claim taken and decided during the appointment. This particular initiative has helped greatly in reducing waiting times. This is in operation in 38 local offices and it is planned that it will be extended to others.
A more streamlined procedure for claimants moving to Jobseekers Allowance when their Jobseekers Benefit expires.
A streamlined process for people who had a claim in the previous two years.
Application forms for the Jobseeker schemes are now available on the Department's website. This means that anyone who wants to make a claim can print the form at home and bring it to the local office completed. This helps to reduce queuing times.
More straight-forward procedures for providing evidence of identity and address have been introduced.
Simplified processing methods have been introduced for some claimants who work casually, part-time or are classed as Systematic Short-Time workers.
The number of JA and JB claims awaiting a decision at the 10 April was 52,815. This is a huge reduction on the 82,000 that were pending in July 2009. This illustrates that the additional resources that have been assigned to local offices coupled with the range of process improvement initiatives are having a positive effect.
It should be noted that even when the Live Register was at its lowest, there would always be 9 or 10 per cent of claims awaiting a decision.
State Pensions
In order to ensure that entitlement to a pension is decided by the due date all pensioners are advised to apply at least three months in advance of pension age and people are proactively invited to claim. In addition, a desk assessment process has been introduced in State Pension Non-Contributory, whereby claims are processed and decided based on the information provided by the customer on their application form without recourse to investigation by a Social Welfare Inspector.
Automated processing and On-line Application Forms
To ensure that claims are processed as efficiently as possible and that customers receive their entitlements in a timely manner all application forms have been designed to facilitate the use of scanning and automated processing. An on-line facility to enable applications for a number of schemes, i.e. State Pension (Contributory) and Household Benefits, to be completed and submitted on-line, has been implemented. This facility will be extended to other schemes in the coming months. The objective is to enable people to access services at a time and place that best suits their needs. The use of on-line application forms reduces the administrative burden for customers and facilitates efficient processing of claims by the Department.
Appeals Processing
The number of Appeals pending at the end of March 2010 and the average processing times for Appeals across all schemes for 2009 are detailed in Table 5 below.
Overall, the average time taken to process all appeals (i.e. those decided summarily and by way of oral hearing) was 24 weeks in 2009. However, if allowance was made for the 25% most protracted cases, the average time fell to 15.8 weeks. This represents an increase of 2 weeks in the time taken to process appeals when compared to 2008, but must be seen in the context of an increase of 46% in the number of appeals received during 2009. There has, however, been an increase of a further 46% in the number of appeals received in the first quarter of 2010 when compared to the same period last year and there is a concern that this will lead to a further increase in processing times in 2010.
The processing time for appeals covers all phases of the appeal process including the submission by the Department of its comments on the grounds for the appeal, further examination by the Department's Medical Assessors in certain illness related cases, further investigation by Social Welfare Inspectors where required and circumstances may also arise where further information is sought from the appellant.
To deal with the increased workload being experienced by the Social Welfare Appeals Office, two additional Appeals Officers were appointed during 2009. However the Chief Appeals Officer and 5 experienced Appeals Officers retired and, although their positions have since been filled, these retirements, when coupled with the serious increase in appeals received, have impacted on the processing of appeals. Because of the quasi-judicial nature and complexity of the work there can be a relatively long lead-in time before Appeals Officers become fully competent to deal with the full range of cases coming to the Office. The matter of assigning additional Appeals Officers is kept under constant review but any consideration of extra assignments must be taken in the context of overall government policy on civil service numbers.
The Chief Appeals Officer is keeping current processes under continuous review with a view to achieving a more effective throughput of appeals, while ensuring that any progress does not conflict with due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice. Table 1
DSP CLAIM PROCESSING – 31 march 2010 | ||||||
Activity | Total Claims pending | Current average processing time in weeks | Extent of any backlogs | Reason for the backlogs | Action proposed or in place to address the backlog | Anticipated time for clearance |
State Pension (Contributory) – EU AND Domestic | 4176 | 4.87 weeks95% by entitlement date | No backlog seasonal high | Seasonal high | Overtime and focused resources | N/A |
State Pension (Transitional) – Domestic | 2489 | 5.84 weeks97% awarded in six weeks | No backlog seasonal high | Seasonal high | Overtime and focused resources | N/A |
Widow(er)'s Contributory Pension | 615 | 2.51 weeks94% awarded in six weeks | No backlog | N/A | N/A | N/A |
State Pension (Non-Contributory) | 1722 | 77% of claims awarded in ten weeks | No backlog | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Widow(er)'s (Non-Contributory) Pension & One Parent Family Payment (Widow) | 160 | 71% awarded in ten weeks | No backlog | N/A | N/A | N/A |
One-Parent Family – (Local Office based) | 5540 | 16.66 weeks | No backlog | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Household Benefits | 3723 | 2.34 weeks87% awarded in four weeks | No backlog | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Bereavement Grant (Social Welfare Services Office Sligo) | 756 | 1.61 weeks92% awarded in four weeks | No backlog | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Bereavement Grant (Social Welfare Services Office Longford) | 825 | 4.42 weeks | No Backlog | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Invalidity Pension* | 1,629 | 31% awarded in 6 weeks | No backlog | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Family Income Supplement - New Claims | 7219 | New Claims- 9.59 weeksRenewal claims - 9.4weeks10 week delays for new claims and 5week delays for renewals | Approx.3500 | Increased intake (over 14,000 to date this year) & fallout from Industrial Action including the overtime ban. | Overtime and focused resources | Approx. 12 weeks |
Disability Allowance | 5081 | 13 weeksProcessingTarget 90% in 12 weeks48% awarded in 12 weeks | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Carer's Benefit | 362 | 9 weeks | N/A | N/A | N/A. | N/A |
Carer's Allowance | 2935 | 10 weeksProcessing target award 90% in 12 weeks81% were awarded in 12 weeks. | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Jobseeker's Benefit | 12,823 | 2.12 wks | ||||
Jobseeker's Assistance | 35,348 | 7.1 wks | ||||
Illness Benefit | 6387 | 1 week | Minimal | Industrial action overtime ban | Resources being redeployed to the area from other areas | Within the next four weeks |
Occupational Injury Benefit - Interim Illness Benefit | 275 | 1 week | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Maternity Benefit | 3,685** | 90% processed 2 weeks in advance of due date. | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Treatment Benefit | Treatment Benefit operates differently than other schemes. As payment is made to contractors after treatment has been given, there is no delay for the customer. The scheme is on target. | |||||
Child Benefit | EU – 977Domestic - 1085 | EU – 6 monthsDomestic – 2 weeks | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Domiciliary Care Allowance | 472 | 6.79 weeks | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
* 90% of applicants for Invalidity Pension are already in payment for Illness Benefit.
*** In the case of Maternity Benefit pending claims are not arrears, as claims are made in advance (i.e. claims may be received as much as 10 weeks before payment is due to begin
Table 2 - Claims pending in Local Offices in alphabetical order
Local Office Parent Office SWLO/SWBO Claimload Pending Pending
Achill | Achill | SWLO | 590 | 4 | 1% |
Apollo House | Apollo House | SWLO | 3024 | 189 | 6% |
Ardee | Drogheda | SWBO | 2801 | 362 | 13% |
Arklow | Arklow | SWLO | 3891 | 118 | 3% |
Athlone | Athlone | SWLO | 4836 | 481 | 10% |
Athy | Newbridge | SWBO | 3084 | 370 | 12% |
Balbriggan | Balbriggan | SWLO | 5461 | 815 | 15% |
Ballina | Ballina | SWLO | 4270 | 498 | 12% |
Ballinasloe | Athlone | SWBO | 2961 | 238 | 8% |
Ballinrobe | Loughrea | SWBO | 1457 | 143 | 10% |
Ballybofey | Donegal CO | SWBO | 3209 | 145 | 5% |
Ballyconnell | Cavan | SWBO | 1557 | 167 | 11% |
Ballyfermot | Ballyfermot | SWLO | 3821 | 199 | 5% |
Ballymun | Ballymun | SWLO | 3210 | 143 | 4% |
Ballyshannon | Donegal CO | SWBO | 1870 | 114 | 6% |
Baltinglass | Newbridge | SWBO | 1792 | 190 | 11% |
Bandon | Carrigaline | SWBO | 1890 | 229 | 12% |
Bantry | Bantry CO | SWBO | 1619 | 181 | 11% |
Bantry CO | Bantry CO | SWLO | 442 | 45 | 10% |
Belmullet | Belmullet | SWLO | 1363 | 58 | 4% |
Birr | Athlone | SWBO | 2600 | 221 | 9% |
Bishop Square | Bishop Square | SWLO | 10300 | 1048 | 10% |
Blanchardstown | Blanchardstown | SWLO | 9189 | 1553 | 17% |
Boyle | Longford | SWBO | 1305 | 181 | 14% |
Bray | Bray | SWLO | 6114 | 405 | 7% |
Buncrana | Buncrana | SWLO | 5977 | 552 | 9% |
Cahir | Clonmel | SWBO | 1485 | 115 | 8% |
Cahirciveen | Cahirciveen | SWLO | 1060 | 90 | 8% |
Carlow | Carlow | SWLO | 4298 | 186 | 4% |
Carrickmacross | Dundalk | SWBO | 2003 | 173 | 9% |
Carrick-on-Shannon | Carrick-on-Shannon | SWLO | 3188 | 181 | 6% |
Carrick-on-Suir | Waterford | SWBO | 2263 | 268 | 12% |
Carrigaline | Carrigaline | SWLO | 2924 | 334 | 11% |
Cashel | Clonmel | SWBO | 1346 | 124 | 9% |
Castlebar | Castlebar | SWLO | 2879 | 326 | 11% |
Castleblaney | Dundalk | SWBO | 2215 | 156 | 7% |
Castlepollard | Mullingar | SWBO | 1655 | 247 | 15% |
Castlerea | Ballina | SWBO | 2325 | 374 | 16% |
Cavan | Cavan | SWLO | 7290 | 730 | 10% |
Claremorris | Ballina | SWBO | 1920 | 237 | 12% |
Clifden | Clifden | SWLO | 1596 | 58 | 4% |
Clonakilty | Carrigaline | SWBO | 1531 | 133 | 9% |
Clondalkin | Clondalkin | SWLO | 11254 | 1361 | 12% |
Clones | Dundalk | SWBO | 1003 | 61 | 6% |
Clonmel | Clonmel | SWLO | 3163 | 179 | 6% |
Cobh | Cobh | SWLO | 1299 | 30 | 2% |
Coolock | Coolock | SWLO | 5946 | 837 | 14% |
Cork | Cork | SWLO | 22320 | 3194 | 14% |
Dingle | Tralee | SWBO | 967 | 22 | 2% |
Donegal | Donegal CO | SWBO | 1841 | 98 | 5% |
Drogheda | Drogheda | SWLO | 9205 | 1106 | 12% |
Dun Laoghaire | Dun Laoghaire | SWLO | 8795 | 941 | 11% |
Dundalk | Dundalk | SWLO | 7560 | 322 | 4% |
Dunfanaghy | Dunfanaghy | SWLO | 1897 | 62 | 3% |
Dungarvan | Waterford | SWBO | 2596 | 320 | 12% |
Dungloe | Dungloe | SWLO | 2648 | 106 | 4% |
Edenderry | Mullingar | SWBO | 2611 | 391 | 15% |
Ennis | Ennis | SWLO | 7117 | 588 | 8% |
Enniscorthy | Wexford | SWBO | 5352 | 757 | 14% |
Ennistymon | Ennis | SWBO | 2073 | 179 | 9% |
Fermoy | Mallow CO | SWBO | 3189 | 442 | 14% |
Finglas | Finglas | SWLO | 6410 | 395 | 6% |
Galway | Galway | SWLO | 14746 | 1995 | 14% |
Gorey | Wexford | SWBO | 4628 | 613 | 13% |
Gort | Ennis | SWBO | 1842 | 230 | 12% |
Kells | Navan | SWBO | 2250 | 320 | 14% |
Kenmare | Kenmare | SWLO | 915 | 25 | 3% |
Kilbarrack | Kilbarrack | SWLO | 6158 | 415 | 7% |
Kilkenny | Kilkenny | SWLO | 7136 | 474 | 7% |
Killarney | Killarney | SWLO | 3882 | 527 | 14% |
Killorglin | Tralee | SWBO | 1637 | 60 | 4% |
Killybegs | Donegal CO | SWBO | 1515 | 65 | 4% |
Kilmallock | Newcastlewest | SWBO | 3158 | 340 | 11% |
Kilrush | Ennis | SWBO | 1774 | 188 | 11% |
King's Inns Street | King's Inns Street | SWLO | 8873 | 546 | 6% |
Kinsale | Carrigaline | SWBO | 1581 | 124 | 8% |
Letterkenny | Letterkenny | SWLO | 6701 | 262 | 4% |
Limerick | Limerick | SWLO | 17099 | 2065 | 12% |
Listowel | Listowel | SWLO | 3702 | 340 | 9% |
Longford | Longford | SWLO | 6395 | 915 | 14% |
Loughrea | Loughrea | SWLO | 3037 | 444 | 15% |
Macroom | Mallow CO | SWBO | 2343 | 390 | 17% |
Mallow | Mallow CO | SWBO | 3085 | 359 | 12% |
Manorhamilton | Manorhamilton | SWLO | 1147 | 28 | 2% |
Maynooth | Ballyfermot | SWBO | 6910 | 722 | 10% |
Midleton | Carrigaline | SWBO | 3756 | 392 | 10% |
Monaghan | Dundalk | SWBO | 3172 | 212 | 7% |
Muine Bheag | Carlow | SWBO | 2158 | 122 | 6% |
Mullingar | Mullingar | SWLO | 5893 | 1063 | 18% |
Navan | Navan | SWLO | 6509 | 1474 | 23% |
Navan Road | Navan Road | SWLO | 7360 | 1207 | 16% |
Nenagh | Thurles | SWBO | 3420 | 235 | 7% |
New Ross | Wexford | SWBO | 3911 | 432 | 11% |
Newbridge | Newbridge | SWLO | 11130 | 1578 | 14% |
Newcastle West | Newcastlewest | SWLO | 4013 | 289 | 7% |
Newmarket | Listowel | SWBO | 2517 | 375 | 15% |
Nutgrove | Nutgrove | SWLO | 6041 | 360 | 6% |
Portarlington | Tullamore | SWBO | 3701 | 353 | 10% |
Portlaoise | Kilkenny | SWBO | 4390 | 667 | 15% |
Rathdowney | Kilkenny | SWBO | 1393 | 194 | 14% |
Roscommon | Longford | SWBO | 1592 | 149 | 9% |
Roscrea | Thurles | SWBO | 1629 | 72 | 4% |
Skibbereen | Bantry CO | SWBO | 1752 | 171 | 10% |
Sligo | Sligo | SWLO | 5224 | 408 | 8% |
Swinford | Ballina | SWBO | 2168 | 283 | 13% |
Swords | Swords | SWLO | 5279 | 605 | 11% |
Tallaght | Tallaght | SWLO | 11879 | 976 | 8% |
Thomas Street | Thomas Street | SWLO | 5310 | 332 | 6% |
Thomastown | Waterford | SWBO | 1689 | 246 | 15% |
Thurles | Thurles | SWLO | 3438 | 179 | 5% |
Tipperary | Clonmel | SWBO | 1980 | 146 | 7% |
Tralee | Tralee | SWLO | 8553 | 308 | 4% |
Trim | Navan | SWBO | 4145 | 936 | 23% |
Tuam | Loughrea | SWBO | 4440 | 463 | 10% |
Tubbercurry | Sligo | SWBO | 1275 | 23 | 2% |
Tulla | Ennis | SWBO | 1806 | 160 | 9% |
Tullamore | Tullamore | SWLO | 4656 | 251 | 5% |
Tullow | Carlow | SWBO | 1784 | 112 | 6% |
Waterford | Waterford | SWLO | 14533 | 1716 | 12% |
Westport | Westport | SWLO | 2478 | 102 | 4% |
Wexford | Wexford | SWLO | 7910 | 751 | 9% |
Wicklow | Arklow | SWBO | 2481 | 109 | 4% |
Youghal | Carrigaline | SWBO | 2074 | 145 | 7% |
513810 | 52815 | 10% | |||
The figure of 52,815 (Pending) includes 1,007 Jobseeker's Benefit Credits Only claims. | |||||
Table 3 - Claims pending in local offices at week-ending 10 Apr 2010
(In order of highest percentage)
W/E 10th April 2010 | |||||
Local Office | Parent Office | SWLO/SWBO | Claimload | Pending | % Pending |
Navan | Navan | SWLO | 6509 | 1474 | 23% |
Trim | Navan | SWBO | 4145 | 936 | 23% |
Mullingar | Mullingar | SWLO | 5893 | 1063 | 18% |
Blanchardstown | Blanchardstown | SWLO | 9189 | 1553 | 17% |
Macroom | Mallow CO | SWBO | 2343 | 390 | 17% |
Navan Road | Navan Road | SWLO | 7360 | 1207 | 16% |
Castlerea | Ballina | SWBO | 2325 | 374 | 16% |
Portlaoise | Kilkenny | SWBO | 4390 | 667 | 15% |
Edenderry | Mullingar | SWBO | 2611 | 391 | 15% |
Castlepollard | Mullingar | SWBO | 1655 | 247 | 15% |
Balbriggan | Balbriggan | SWLO | 5461 | 815 | 15% |
Newmarket | Listowel | SWBO | 2517 | 375 | 15% |
Loughrea | Loughrea | SWLO | 3037 | 444 | 15% |
Thomastown | Waterford | SWBO | 1689 | 246 | 15% |
Cork | Cork | SWLO | 22320 | 3194 | 14% |
Longford | Longford | SWLO | 6395 | 915 | 14% |
Kells | Navan | SWBO | 2250 | 320 | 14% |
Newbridge | Newbridge | SWLO | 11130 | 1578 | 14% |
Enniscorthy | Wexford | SWBO | 5352 | 757 | 14% |
Coolock | Coolock | SWLO | 5946 | 837 | 14% |
Rathdowney | Kilkenny | SWBO | 1393 | 194 | 14% |
Boyle | Longford | SWBO | 1305 | 181 | 14% |
Fermoy | Mallow CO | SWBO | 3189 | 442 | 14% |
Killarney | Killarney | SWLO | 3882 | 527 | 14% |
Galway | Galway | SWLO | 14746 | 1995 | 14% |
Gorey | Wexford | SWBO | 4628 | 613 | 13% |
Swinford | Ballina | SWBO | 2168 | 283 | 13% |
Ardee | Drogheda | SWBO | 2801 | 362 | 13% |
Gort | Ennis | SWBO | 1842 | 230 | 12% |
Claremorris | Ballina | SWBO | 1920 | 237 | 12% |
Dungarvan | Waterford | SWBO | 2596 | 320 | 12% |
Bandon | Carrigaline | SWBO | 1890 | 229 | 12% |
Clondalkin | Clondalkin | SWLO | 11254 | 1361 | 12% |
Limerick | Limerick | SWLO | 17099 | 2065 | 12% |
Drogheda | Drogheda | SWLO | 9205 | 1106 | 12% |
Athy | Newbridge | SWBO | 3084 | 370 | 12% |
Carrick-on-Suir | Waterford | SWBO | 2263 | 268 | 12% |
Waterford | Waterford | SWLO | 14533 | 1716 | 12% |
Ballina | Ballina | SWLO | 4270 | 498 | 12% |
Mallow | Mallow CO | SWBO | 3085 | 359 | 12% |
Swords | Swords | SWLO | 5279 | 605 | 11% |
Carrigaline | Carrigaline | SWLO | 2924 | 334 | 11% |
Castlebar | Castlebar | SWLO | 2879 | 326 | 11% |
Bantry | Bantry CO | SWBO | 1619 | 181 | 11% |
New Ross | Wexford | SWBO | 3911 | 432 | 11% |
Kilmallock | Newcastlewest | SWBO | 3158 | 340 | 11% |
Ballyconnell | Cavan | SWBO | 1557 | 167 | 11% |
Dun Laoghaire | Dun Laoghaire | SWLO | 8795 | 941 | 11% |
Baltinglass | Newbridge | SWBO | 1792 | 190 | 11% |
Kilrush | Ennis | SWBO | 1774 | 188 | 11% |
Maynooth | Ballyfermot | SWBO | 6910 | 722 | 10% |
Midleton | Carrigaline | SWBO | 3756 | 392 | 10% |
Tuam | Loughrea | SWBO | 4440 | 463 | 10% |
Bantry CO | Bantry CO | SWLO | 442 | 45 | 10% |
Bishop Square | Bishop Square | SWLO | 10300 | 1048 | 10% |
Cavan | Cavan | SWLO | 7290 | 730 | 10% |
Athlone | Athlone | SWLO | 4836 | 481 | 10% |
Ballinrobe | Loughrea | SWBO | 1457 | 143 | 10% |
Skibbereen | Bantry CO | SWBO | 1752 | 171 | 10% |
Portarlington | Tullamore | SWBO | 3701 | 353 | 10% |
Wexford | Wexford | SWLO | 7910 | 751 | 9% |
Roscommon | Longford | SWBO | 1592 | 149 | 9% |
Buncrana | Buncrana | SWLO | 5977 | 552 | 9% |
Cashel | Clonmel | SWBO | 1346 | 124 | 9% |
Listowel | Listowel | SWLO | 3702 | 340 | 9% |
Tulla | Ennis | SWBO | 1806 | 160 | 9% |
Clonakilty | Carrigaline | SWBO | 1531 | 133 | 9% |
Carrickmacross | Dundalk | SWBO | 2003 | 173 | 9% |
Ennistymon | Ennis | SWBO | 2073 | 179 | 9% |
Birr | Athlone | SWBO | 2600 | 221 | 9% |
Cahirciveen | Cahirciveen | SWLO | 1060 | 90 | 8% |
Ennis | Ennis | SWLO | 7117 | 588 | 8% |
Tallaght | Tallaght | SWLO | 11879 | 976 | 8% |
Ballinasloe | Athlone | SWBO | 2961 | 238 | 8% |
Kinsale | Carrigaline | SWBO | 1581 | 124 | 8% |
Sligo | Sligo | SWLO | 5224 | 408 | 8% |
Cahir | Clonmel | SWBO | 1485 | 115 | 8% |
Tipperary | Clonmel | SWBO | 1980 | 146 | 7% |
Newcastle West | Newcastlewest | SWLO | 4013 | 289 | 7% |
Castleblaney | Dundalk | SWBO | 2215 | 156 | 7% |
Youghal | Carrigaline | SWBO | 2074 | 145 | 7% |
Nenagh | Thurles | SWBO | 3420 | 235 | 7% |
Kilbarrack | Kilbarrack | SWLO | 6158 | 415 | 7% |
Monaghan | Dundalk | SWBO | 3172 | 212 | 7% |
Kilkenny | Kilkenny | SWLO | 7136 | 474 | 7% |
Bray | Bray | SWLO | 6114 | 405 | 7% |
Tullow | Carlow | SWBO | 1784 | 112 | 6% |
Thomas Street | Thomas Street | SWLO | 5310 | 332 | 6% |
Apollo House | Apollo House | SWLO | 3024 | 189 | 6% |
Finglas | Finglas | SWLO | 6410 | 395 | 6% |
King's Inns Street | King's Inns Street | SWLO | 8873 | 546 | 6% |
Ballyshannon | Donegal CO | SWBO | 1870 | 114 | 6% |
Clones | Dundalk | SWBO | 1003 | 61 | 6% |
Nutgrove | Nutgrove | SWLO | 6041 | 360 | 6% |
Carrick-on-Shannon | Carrick-on-Shannon | SWLO | 3188 | 181 | 6% |
Clonmel | Clonmel | SWLO | 3163 | 179 | 6% |
Muine Bheag | Carlow | SWBO | 2158 | 122 | 6% |
Tullamore | Tullamore | SWLO | 4656 | 251 | 5% |
Donegal | Donegal CO | SWBO | 1841 | 98 | 5% |
Ballyfermot | Ballyfermot | SWLO | 3821 | 199 | 5% |
Thurles | Thurles | SWLO | 3438 | 179 | 5% |
Ballybofey | Donegal CO | SWBO | 3209 | 145 | 5% |
Ballymun | Ballymun | SWLO | 3210 | 143 | 4% |
Roscrea | Thurles | SWBO | 1629 | 72 | 4% |
Wicklow | Arklow | SWBO | 2481 | 109 | 4% |
Carlow | Carlow | SWLO | 4298 | 186 | 4% |
Killybegs | Donegal CO | SWBO | 1515 | 65 | 4% |
Dundalk | Dundalk | SWLO | 7560 | 322 | 4% |
Belmullet | Belmullet | SWLO | 1363 | 58 | 4% |
Westport | Westport | SWLO | 2478 | 102 | 4% |
Dungloe | Dungloe | SWLO | 2648 | 106 | 4% |
Letterkenny | Letterkenny | SWLO | 6701 | 262 | 4% |
Killorglin | Tralee | SWBO | 1637 | 60 | 4% |
Clifden | Clifden | SWLO | 1596 | 58 | 4% |
Tralee | Tralee | SWLO | 8553 | 308 | 4% |
Dunfanaghy | Dunfanaghy | SWLO | 1897 | 62 | 3% |
Arklow | Arklow | SWLO | 3891 | 118 | 3% |
Kenmare | Kenmare | SWLO | 915 | 25 | 3% |
Manorhamilton | Manorhamilton | SWLO | 1147 | 28 | 2% |
Cobh | Cobh | SWLO | 1299 | 30 | 2% |
Dingle | Tralee | SWBO | 967 | 22 | 2% |
Tubbercurry | Sligo | SWBO | 1275 | 23 | 2% |
Achill | Achill | SWLO | 590 | 4 | 1% |
513810 | 52815 | 10% |
Table 4 - Average Processing times for Jobseeker claims in March 2010 by Local Office in alphabetical order
JB | JA | |
NATIONAL AVG | 2.12 | 7.10 |
ACHILL | 0.08 | 0.37 |
APOLLO HOUSE | 0.72 | 2.79 |
ARDEE | 3.48 | 11.65 |
ARKLOW | 0.81 | 3.03 |
ATHLONE | 2.26 | 4.60 |
ATHY | 2.68 | 10.59 |
BALBRIGGAN | 2.72 | 11.89 |
BALLINA | 4.52 | 6.72 |
BALLINASLOE | 1.91 | 5.79 |
BALLINROBE | 1.97 | 7.39 |
BALLYBOFEY | 2.10 | 3.20 |
BALLYCONNELL | 2.41 | 6.55 |
BALLYFERMOT | 1.38 | 3.31 |
BALLYMUN | 2.16 | 4.56 |
BALLYSHANNON | 1.18 | 2.47 |
BALTINGLASS | 1.53 | 8.43 |
BANDON | 4.43 | 6.27 |
BANTRY | 2.61 | 7.99 |
BANTRY CO | 3.17 | 8.89 |
BELMULLET | 0.63 | 1.56 |
BIRR | 1.07 | 4.97 |
Bishop Square | 1.45 | 9.00 |
Blanchardstown | 1.57 | 11.83 |
BOYLE | 3.48 | 8.98 |
BRAY | 1.22 | 3.13 |
BUNCRANA | 2.30 | 7.18 |
CAHIR | 2.30 | 1.37 |
CAHIRCIVEEN | 1.84 | 5.67 |
CARLOW | 1.25 | 2.80 |
CARRICKMACROSS | 1.72 | 6.44 |
CARRICK-ON-SHANNON | 0.68 | 3.52 |
CARRICK-ON-SUIR | 3.58 | 6.83 |
CARRIGALINE | 1.05 | 3.85 |
CASHEL | 0.90 | 2.69 |
CASTLEBAR | 2.99 | 9.51 |
CASTLEBLAYNEY | 1.17 | 3.49 |
CASTLEPOLLARD | 3.61 | 11.70 |
CASTLEREA | 3.85 | 12.80 |
CAVAN | 2.43 | 7.10 |
CLAREMORRIS | 4.72 | 13.55 |
CLIFDEN | 2.30 | 3.78 |
CLONAKILTY | 2.90 | 6.62 |
CLONDALKIN | 3.02 | 6.06 |
CLONES | 1.30 | 3.40 |
CLONMEL | 1.43 | 2.87 |
COBH | 0.73 | 3.43 |
Coolock LO | 2.59 | 6.92 |
CORK | 1.64 | 12.20 |
DINGLE | 0.64 | 3.78 |
DONEGAL | 2.44 | 4.71 |
DROGHEDA | 2.99 | 9.07 |
DUNDALK | 0.61 | 3.03 |
DUNFANAGHY | 1.52 | 2.17 |
DUNGARVAN | 2.80 | 9.69 |
DUNGLOE | 2.15 | 1.98 |
DUN LAOGHAIRE | 1.37 | 4.78 |
EDENDERRY | 2.63 | 12.08 |
ENNIS | 1.75 | 6.73 |
ENNISCORTHY | 2.90 | 12.14 |
ENNISTYMON | 3.39 | 8.18 |
FERMOY | 3.16 | 6.08 |
FINGLAS | 0.73 | 4.85 |
GALWAY | 2.64 | 12.47 |
GOREY | 2.75 | 11.12 |
GORT | 3.13 | 12.48 |
KELLS | 2.39 | 6.81 |
KENMARE | 0.90 | 3.08 |
KILBARRACK | 1.16 | 5.16 |
KILKENNY | 1.35 | 4.79 |
KILLARNEY | 1.39 | 12.74 |
KILLORGLIN | 1.03 | 2.55 |
KILLYBEGS | 0.78 | 1.92 |
KILMALLOCK | 1.11 | 1.94 |
KILRUSH | 3.25 | 7.86 |
Kings Inns Street Local Office | 1.23 | 3.68 |
KINSALE | 1.98 | 6.80 |
LETTERKENNY | 1.37 | 4.09 |
LIMERICK | 3.36 | 7.77 |
LISTOWEL | 2.07 | 6.52 |
LONGFORD | 2.99 | 8.87 |
LOUGHREA | 1.45 | 10.41 |
MACROOM | 4.45 | 6.03 |
Mallow Branch Office | 2.99 | 5.02 |
MANORHAMILTON | 0.65 | 1.66 |
MAYNOOTH | 2.83 | 5.76 |
MIDLETON | 2.80 | 5.36 |
MONAGHAN | 1.98 | 3.76 |
MUINE BHEAG | 1.26 | 3.91 |
MULLINGAR | 4.97 | 16.84 |
NAVAN | 3.48 | 15.56 |
NAVAN ROAD | 1.96 | 16.66 |
NENAGH | 2.04 | 3.07 |
NEWBRIDGE | 2.12 | 7.82 |
NEWCASTLE WEST | 1.13 | 3.68 |
NEWMARKET | 4.56 | 8.43 |
NEW ROSS | 3.28 | 9.95 |
NUTGROVE | 0.88 | 2.07 |
PORTARLINGTON | 2.15 | 8.53 |
PORTLAOISE | 2.78 | 6.18 |
RATHDOWNEY | 2.95 | 8.27 |
ROSCOMMON | 2.87 | 6.78 |
ROSCREA | 1.23 | 2.23 |
SKIBBEREEN | 2.25 | 6.72 |
SLIGO | 1.68 | 4.77 |
SWINFORD | 4.19 | 13.01 |
Swords LO | 3.56 | 5.33 |
TALLAGHT | 1.66 | 5.70 |
THOMAS STREET | 1.20 | 3.83 |
THOMASTOWN | 2.58 | 5.76 |
THURLES | 0.56 | 2.18 |
TIPPERARY | 1.45 | 3.11 |
TRALEE | 1.47 | 2.64 |
TRIM | 4.94 | 10.81 |
TUAM | 1.27 | 7.67 |
TUBBERCURRY | 0.37 | 4.42 |
TULLA | 3.26 | 6.41 |
Tullamore Control Office | 1.13 | 3.99 |
TULLOW | 1.94 | 5.45 |
WATERFORD | 2.54 | 9.28 |
WESTPORT | 2.61 | 1.40 |
WEXFORD | 2.87 | 6.40 |
WICKLOW | 1.14 | 2.32 |
YOUGHAL | 2.52 | 5.27 |
Table 5- Appeals Pending at 31/3/2010 and Average Appeals Processing Times
Appeals PendingAt 31/3/2010 | Average Time Taken to Process appeals *** | |
Adoptive Benefit | 1 | 66.3 |
Blind Pension | 8 | 27.9 |
Carers Allowance | 1,414 | 26.6 |
Carers Benefit | 74 | 19.9 |
Child Benefit | 1,457 | 36.1 |
Domiciliary Care Allowance | 933 | 15.6 |
Disability Allowance | 3,406 | 26.2 |
Illness Benefit | 3,133 | 27.3 |
Deserted Wives Benefit | 3 | 32.1 |
Farm Assist | 138 | 24.7 |
Bereavement Grant | 26 | 14.8 |
Family Income Supplement | 88 | 20.0 |
Invalidity Pension | 640 | 30.2 |
Liable Relatives | 13 | 25.6 |
One Parent Family Payment | 592 | 24.4 |
Maternity Benefit | 14 | 10.5 |
State Pension (Contributory) | 196 | 32.3 |
State Pension (Non-Contributory) | 203 | 27.6 |
State Pension (Transition) | 10 | 36.7 |
Occupational Injury Benefit | 23 | 33.1 |
Occupational Injury Benefit (Medical) | 46 | 35.3 |
Disablement Pension | 200 | 34.8 |
Death Benefit Pension | 1 | 45.3 |
Incapacity Supplement | 8 | 37.0 |
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) | 19 | 23.3 |
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) | 8 | 16.5 |
Pre-Retirement Allowance | 0 | 19.1 |
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) | 2,461 | 22.7 |
Jobseeker's Allowance | 2,892 | 18.8 |
Jobseeker's Benefit | 708 | 18.2 |
JA/JB Fraud Control | 4 | 53.1 |
Respite Care Grant | 153 | 24.7 |
Insurability of Employment | 87 | 37.8 |
Supplementary Welfare Allowance | 211 | 9.5 |
Treatment Benefits | 6 | 12.9 |
Survivor's Pension (Contributory) | 14 | 26.4 |
Survivor's Pension (Non-Contributory) | 12 | 21.6 |
Widowed Parent Grant | 1 | 20.0 |
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