Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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1819. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will increase resources for the assessment of carer's allowance payments in order that the processing time is dramatically reduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37441/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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. Performance indicators relating to service delivery are set out in detail in the Department’s Customer Action Plan, including processing time targets for the main welfare schemes.

The processing times target for the carer’s allowance scheme is 70% in 12 weeks. This target reflects the fact that there are many questions which have to be considered before a decision can be made on entitlement to carer’s allowance, specifically in relation to habitual residence, the care requirements of the person being cared for, as well as the means of and the level of care being provided by, the carer in each case.

In addition there has been significant changes in the numbers of applications being received and also in the decision making process, on foot of a High Court decision.

At the end of July 2017, the average processing time was 14 weeks and there were 4,847 applications awaiting decision. This is an improvement on the same period in 2016 when there were 5,673 applications awaiting decision and the average processing time was 18 weeks. This improvement has been achieved against the background of a 16-20% annual increase in applications over the last two years.

Frequently, delays in processing are outside the control of the Department and are caused by the customer failing to fully complete the claim form or failing to attach the supporting documentation that is requested on the application form.

Operational processes, procedures and the organisation of work are continually reviewed to ensure that processing capability is maximised.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.