Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 377: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if it is possible to simplify the application forms and procedures for any of the social protection entitlements in view of the extraordinary length of time taken to process voluminous application forms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28354/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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It is the policy of my Department to standardise and simplify its application forms as much as possible. Plain English principles are applied in the design of all primary application forms to ensure a simple, clear, easy to read format that is accessible to people with different levels of literacy ability.

The design and layout of each application form must also have regard to the particular requirements of the individual scheme or payment and ensure that the form captures all of the information required to process the application. The content and layout of application forms are reviewed annually to ensure they are kept up-to-date and that any changes comply with our Plain English principles.

The Department has a continuous programme of process improvement initiatives underway aimed at streamlining the processing of claims, supported by modern technology. The standardisation and simplification of application forms complements the introduction of more streamlined processes and procedures, including scanning and automated processing.

The Department's website www.welfare.ie , provides comprehensive information on all the Department's schemes and services as well as a range of online services which include online claiming for state pension contributory, household benefits, child benefit, jobseeker's payments, widow(er)'s and surviving civil partner's contributory pension and redundancy payments and insolvency payments. The objective is to enable people to access services at a time and place that best suits their needs. The use of online application forms reduces the administrative burden for the customer and facilitates efficient processing of claims by the Department.

I am satisfied that the initiatives underway in the Department, the improvements to processes and procedures supported by the redesign of application forms, and the Department's use of modern technology will deliver an improved and efficient service to customers.