Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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168. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time for a decision on a carer's allowance application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14558/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My 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.

The average waiting time for new carer's allowance (CA) applications at the end of January 2017 was 11 weeks, compared to 20 weeks in 2016. At the end of January, there were 2,842 CA applications awaiting decision.

Applications for CA increased 20% in 2016, compared to 2015. This increase has impacted on the volumes of applications awaiting decision. Furthermore, delays in processing are often caused by the submission of incomplete application forms or the failure to submit required documentation that is requested on the application form.

The processing target that is set for the carer's allowance scheme is 70% awarded within 12 weeks; in January that target was reached with 76% of applications awarded within 12 weeks. Reducing waiting times is a priority for my Department and we are working hard to make this happen.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.