Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time for the processing of applications across each social welfare payment; the way this compares with 2010 targets; and the action he is taking to reduce waiting times. [21607/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the length of time required to process an application for jobseeker's allowance, back to education allowance, disability allowance, disability benefit, child benefit, contributory old age pension, non-contributory old age pension, invalidity, disablement, household package, rent or mortgage support or other social welfare payments; the number of such applications on appeal; the length of time taken to process appeals; the reason for the delays; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship caused by such delays in the current economic climate; if he has taken or intends to take any action to address these issues and reduce to a specific time within which all applications must be processed in line with current needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21706/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 85 together.

I have made available to the House two tables showing details of performance targets and average processing times for all schemes. Table 1 sets out the target performance standard and the performance achieved for each scheme in the month of April 2010 and the average number of weeks taken to process each claim type. Details of cases currently on appeal and average appeals processing times are detailed in Table 2. Table 2 sets out the number of appeal cases pending in each of the schemes at end April 2010 and the average number of weeks taken to process appeals in each scheme in 2009. In relation to the cases under appeal it should be noted that the back to education scheme and the household benefits schemes are non statutory and therefore are not appealable.

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 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 some of the 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, other EU countries or other third parties.

While every effort is made to decide on entitlement for any individual person as close to their eligibility date as possible, there are cases where delays will necessarily be experienced. In situations where customers find themselves suffering financial hardship while awaiting such a decision, the facility to receive supplementary welfare allowance funded by the Department and administered by the Health Service Executive is available. In April 2010 more than 96% of basic SWA applications were decided on and paid within a week.

Table 1

TABLE 2

Appeals Pending Decision by Scheme Type at 30/4/2010 & Average Time Taken To Process Appeals in 2009