Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1871. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of cases approved for a disability allowance and in which the arrears due have not been paid to date; the reason for the delay; when the matter will be rectified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36257/19]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

When a disability allowance (DA) application is being awarded and the person was in receipt of another social welfare payment there are a number of necessary administrative steps which must be completed before arrears are issued.

In these cases, once the first payment of DA has been issued, there will be inter-scheme adjustment required to reconcile overlapping benefit periods. In other cases the amount due to the person concerned may need to take account of an outstanding debt owing to the department. Once these calculations have been made, the final arrears due can be established and paid.

Due to the above reasons the current number of cases awaiting arrears stands at 1,042.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.