Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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186. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); if this will be expedited; the waiting times for processing of carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43111/17]

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.

There has been an annual increase of 14% in the numbers of applications for carer’s allowance in recent years.

At the end of September 2017, the average processing time was 15 weeks and there were 4,844 applications awaiting decision.

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 confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on the 2 August 2017. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.