Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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715. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the rationale for not providing illness benefit to eligible applicants and means testing claimants under the supplementary welfare guidelines despite illness benefit not being a means tested payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37042/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The Department experienced some delay following the introduction of a new system for Illness benefit. The change is part of a programme of modernisation in the Department’s Illness Benefit section which took effect from Monday, 6 August. Some GPs have continued to use the old forms after this changeover date which the Department has, to date, continued to accept in the interest of paying our customers. However, the continued use of old forms by some GPs is causing significant delays to our processing times, as the old forms are not compatible with the new system, with each one requiring manual inputting into the Department's payment systems.

Regarding the processing delays that the Department was experiencing, we can confirm that the backlog on claims has been cleared and application processing times have returned to normal. New applications are dealt with on the day they are received, however, the continued use of old application forms by some GPs is causing significant delays to our processing times, as the old forms are not compatible with the new system, with each one requiring manual inputting into the Department's payment systems. Applications received on the old forms are dealt with within 7 days of receipt.

Customers affected by a delay in their payment, and who were in need of financial assistance, where asked to contact their local Community Welfare Service at their local Intreo Centres. Community Welfare staff were made aware of the payment delays and available to assist those customers affected.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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716. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the impact that changes to the illness benefit form are having on persons' entitlement to illness benefit; the steps she has taken to resolve this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37043/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The Department experienced some delay following the introduction of a new system for Illness benefit. The change is part of a programme of modernisation in the Department’s Illness Benefit section which took effect from Monday, 6 August. Some GPs have continued to use the old forms after this changeover date which the Department has, to date, continued to accept in the interest of paying our customers. However, the continued use of old forms by some GPs is causing significant delays to our processing times, as the old forms are not compatible with the new system, with each one requiring manual inputting into the Department's payment systems.

Regarding the processing delays that the Department was experiencing, we can confirm that the backlog on claims has been cleared and application processing times have returned to normal. New applications are dealt with on the day they are received, however, the continued use of old application forms by some GPs is causing significant delays to our processing times, as the old forms are not compatible with the new system, with each one requiring manual inputting into the Department's payment systems. Applications received on the old forms are dealt with within 7 days of receipt.

Customers affected by a delay in their payment, and who were in need of financial assistance, were asked to contact their local Community Welfare Service at their local Intreo Centres. Community Welfare staff were made aware of the payment delays and available to assist those customers affected.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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717. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to reports that due to the ongoing dispute relating to illness benefit forms that persons are being denied their entitlement to illness benefit which is based on their contributions and are instead being means tested for supplementary welfare allowance which is based on their means and are subsequently denied this payment thereby denying them financial support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37044/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The Department experience some delay following the introduction of a new system for Illness benefit. The change is part of a programme of modernisation in the Department’s Illness Benefit section which took effect from Monday, 6 August. Some GPs have continued to use the old forms after this changeover date which the Department has, to date, continued to accept in the interest of paying our customers. However, the continued use of old forms by some GPs is causing significant delays to our processing times, as the old forms are not compatible with the new system, with each one requiring manual inputting into the Department's payment systems.

"Regarding the processing delays that the Department was experiencing, we can confirm that the backlog on claims has been cleared and application processing times have returned to normal.

New applications are dealt with on the day they are received, however, the continued use of old application forms by some GPs is causing significant delays to our processing times, as the old forms are not compatible with the new system, with each one requiring manual inputting into the Department's payment systems. Applications received on the old forms are dealt with within 7 days of receipt."

Customers affected by a delay in their payment, and who were in need of financial assistance, were asked to contact their local Community Welfare Service at their local Intreo Centres. Community Welfare staff were made aware of the payment delays and were available to assist those customers affected.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.