Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 480: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for disability allowance currently pending or on appeal; when the backlog is likely to be cleared. [28494/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently 5,967 disability allowance claims pending decision. This represents 6% of the total number of disability claims in payment. The assessment of disability allowance claims is relatively complex as it involves both a medical assessment and means assessment to be completed before a claim can be decided.

The Department continually monitors available resources against workloads with a view to maximising claim processing efficiencies. Additional deciding officers have recently been assigned on a temporary basis to deal with the processing of new claims. Processes and procedures are reviewed on an ongoing basis with the explicit objective of reducing delays in claim processing.

There are currently 3,423 Disability Allowance appeals outstanding. 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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 482: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for means-tested old age pension currently pending or on appeal; when the backlog is likely to be cleared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28496/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following Table.

My Department is committed to delivering the best possible service to its customers and claims are processed in the most efficient and expeditious way possible, having regard to the eligibility conditions that apply. My Department is continuously striving to improve its processing times through ongoing business process improvement projects and upgrading technology.

Notwithstanding this, however, it should be noted that many factors outside my Department's control can impact upon claim processing times e.g. the supply of all the 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.

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.