Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the average length of time a person applying for carer's allowance must wait to receive payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11954/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The average time taken to award an application in the quarter ended September 2011 was 17 weeks. Figures for the last quarter of 2011 and for January 2012 are unavailable as, due to the introduction of a new claims processing system in carer's allowance area, new claims are being processed on the new system while older claims are still being processed on the old system.

As mentioned above, a major service delivery modernisation project is underway to improve the efficiency of administration of the carer's allowance scheme. This involves the development of information technology functions and associated business process reorganisation. The first tranche of new carer's allowance claims began to be processed under the new system in August 2011. It is anticipated that the new system will introduce significant processing efficiencies and a quicker more responsive service to the customer.

Accordingly, the project is being given high priority and involves a significant level of time and commitment from the relevant staff in the Department. This has had short-term negative impact on claim processing times which is expected to continue until the completion of the modernisation project when all existing carer's allowance claims will be transferred onto the new processing system.

Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Social Protection in respect of a person who has applied for carer's allowance and meets the criteria as of August 2011,the length of time this person will have to wait to receive the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11955/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Entitlement to carer's allowance is based on satisfying means, residency, full time care provision and medical suitability criteria. In the interest of fairness and equity, applications for carer's allowance are generally processed in order of the date the applications are received. The average time taken to award a claim to end of September 2011 was 17 weeks. This figure relates to the initial decision made on each application.

In determining entitlement to the allowance, unavoidable time lags may occur while the necessary investigations and inquiries are made. Delays may also arise if those applying are not in a position to supply all the necessary information in support of their claim.

If the Deputy can provide the personal public services number (PPSN) of the person in question, he will be advised of the current position of this individual case.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11970/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) scheme operates from the beginning of June until the end of September each year.

A person may qualify for payment BSCFA if he or she is in receipt of a social welfare or health service executive payment, is participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education or training course, and has household income at or below certain specified levels and a qualified child allowance (QCA) must be paid to the applicant in respect of each child.

The person concerned received a BSCFA payment for one child only, as he was not in receipt of a qualified child allowance payment for his second child until December 2011 by which time the scheme had closed.