Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 1313: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time for disability allowance applications; the reason for the long delay in processing times; the action he is taking to address this problem. [33253/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The average number of weeks taken to decide a disability allowance claim last month (August 2010) was 12.68 weeks. To be eligible for disability allowance, a claimant must (inter alia) satisfy a medical examination, a means test and be habitually resident in the state. The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main criteria listed above. Certain claims have to be referred to Social Welfare Inspectors for means investigation and this can add to the overall processing times. In addition, factors outside the department's control can have an impact, for example, the supply of relevant information by the customer, employers or other third parties. In the meantime, people who have urgent income support needs can apply for the means tested supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) and, last month, 94% of basic SWA applications were decided on and paid within a week.

The department is committed to delivering the best possible service to its customers. Operational processes and procedures and the organisation of work are continually reviewed in all areas of the department, including disability allowance section, to ensure that claims are processed and decided in the most efficient and expeditious way possible, having regard to the eligibility conditions that apply to each scheme.