Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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75. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite waiting times for jobseeker's benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17459/17]

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 processing time for Jobseekers Benefit claims awarded in March 2017 was 1 week, which exceeds the overall performance targets set for the scheme.

The time taken by my Department to process applications depends on a number of factors, including the conditionality and relative complexity that applies to the relevant scheme. The quality and completeness of the application form and other material is also an important factor. The inclusion, at the outset, of any supporting documentation that is requested is key to a customer getting a timely and appropriate decision.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.