Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 331: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a decision on a disability allowance has not been processed in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9630/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 30 November 2010.

In order to determine his weekly means, his file was forwarded to his local social welfare inspector. A final decision on his entitlement to disability allowance will be given on receipt of the social welfare inspector's report. The customer will be notified directly of the outcome.

As regards the processing of disability allowance claims, the processing time for individual claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main criteria which a claimant must fulfil in order to qualify. 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.