Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on the waiting time for the processing of a family income supplement application; the number of applicants currently waiting to have their FIS application assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3921/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. FIS claims, both new and renewals received on or after the 5th November 2012 are currently being processed on receipt. On 2 November 2012 there was a backlog of approximately 7,390 new FIS applications and approximately 7,810 renewal applications awaiting processing and decision. Today, there are currently approximately 6,760 new FIS applications still awaiting approval. All the renewal applications have been processed. The backlog of new claims will be fully eliminated by the end of March 2013.

An in-depth Business Process Improvement project was recently completed for the FIS scheme. This project focused on optimising output, improving customer service and the elimination of backlogs. The outcome of this review is a detailed plan outlining the process required to manage both the continuous weekly intake and backlog claims clearance. This plan sees the current weekly new claim and renewal intake processed by one team, while the backlog is ring-fenced and a focused team assigned to this work with a clear plan for its elimination. The team including additional temporary resources for the elimination of backlog FIS claims has been in place since November 2012. Claims which are approved by the backlog team will be backdated to the date of claim and all arrears due will be paid.