Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the average and longest waiting times for decisions on disability allowance; his view on the fact that many applicants are waiting an unacceptably long time and the steps he will take to speed up the process. [35204/10]

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 (September 2010) was 10.69 weeks. People awaiting a decision on a claim for disability allowance who have urgent income support needs can apply for the means tested supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) from their local Community Welfare Officer in the Health Service Executive. To be eligible for disability allowance, a claimant must satisfy a medical assessment, 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. This 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.