Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 479: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for jobseeker's allowance currently pending or on appeal; when the backlog is likely to be cleared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28493/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 481: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for unemployment assistance currently pending or on appeal; when the backlog is likely to be cleared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28495/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 479 and 481 together.

As of 19 June 2010, there were 48,261 jobseeker claims pending, of which 36,138 were for jobseeker's allowance, 11,347 for jobseeker's benefit and 776 were credits only cases. This represents 9% of the total jobseeker claimload nationwide. As has previously been said in the House, when we look back over several years when the live register was at its lowest, there was always around 9% or 10% of claims awaiting a decision.

Over the past year or more, the Department has made significant efforts to reduce the number of claims awaiting a decision to current levels. In July 2009, there were over 82,500 claims pending a decision. The current performance should be seen in the context that, in 2009 alone, local offices received over 670,000 jobseeker claims and so far this year, they have received over 200,000 claims.

I appreciate the importance of getting claims decided as quickly as possible and I want to assure the House that staff in local offices and in the Department's inspectorate are doing all they can to ensure that claims are processed as quickly as possible. The Department will strive to reduce processing times and the number of claims awaiting a decision even further where it can, either through streamlining processes and procedures or through the introduction of new technology to assist with claims processing.

There are currently 806 jobseeker's benefit and 6,298 jobseeker's allowance appeals pending. I am assured by the Chief Appeals Officer that she 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.