Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she has given any consideration to a proposal for reform of the manner in which the UPII-1-10 forms are treated by her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19662/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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My Department is committed to an on-going programme of service modernisation. A key element of this programme is to eliminate, as far as possible, all paper from the administrative process and to store, retrieve, and process records in an electronic format. Significant progress has been made across the Department in the use of scanning technology and automated business processes which use large-scale scanning facilities are in place in the Department's headquarter buildings. The necessary machinery and system functionality to accept and process scanned images is being extended to the Department's local office network on a phased basis. These facilities will be used initially to assist the claim registration and client identification process.

As regards the signing on process for jobseeker clients, the initial focus will be on the introduction of scanning facilities to automate the weekly declaration process for clients involved in casual/part-time work. A scanning solution, aimed at delivering administrative efficiencies in this area, is in development at present, and the possibilities for extending scanning facilities to other areas of work , including the area mentioned by the Deputy, is kept under constant review. In relation to the UP11 form, which is issued to people signing on by post, I would like to assure the Deputy that the processing of these forms is dealt with as a priority. The Department is not aware of any issues in relation to staff failing to key in client details on time. Occasionally, in individual circumstances a form may arrive late due to postal delays and in these circumstances the Department seeks to rectify the problem without delay.