Written answers

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

Department of Social Protection

Carer's Allowance Applications

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reasons for the delays in processing applications for carer's allowance; the measures that are being implemented to reduce the time taken to process applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45708/12]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I acknowledge that the time taken to process carer’s allowance claims at present is not satisfactory but I am satisfied that the Department is taking appropriate action to resolve the situation. Carer’s allowance section has completed a major service delivery modernisation project to improve the efficiency with which it processes applications from clients for carer’s allowance. The project involved the development of IT functionality and associated business process re-organisation. Full deployment of the new system for Carer’s Allowance was completed in June 2012.

Following the completion of the modernisation project, an in-depth business process improvement (BPI) project commenced for the carer’s allowance scheme. This project focused on optimising output and customer service and the reduction of backlogs. The outcome of the review is the division of work into two streams. One concentrates on dealing with new claim intake and processes these without delay and the other on the backlog which is ring-fenced with a clear and targeted plan for its elimination. Implementation of the plan commenced on Monday 3 September and is being closely monitored and managed to ensure it achieves its objectives. A noted improvement was achieved in September where claims processed substantially exceeded claim intake. However, it will take a number of months before the backlog is reduced to an acceptable level. The allocation of available resources to this task continues to be monitored.

Photo of Jim DalyJim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45713/12]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 16th February 2012. A decision on the application has been made and a letter issued on 22 October 2012 directly to the person concerned with notification of the outcome.

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