Written answers

Wednesday, 3 February 2021

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Social Welfare Payments Waiting Times

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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439. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which waiting times for payments in respect of means-tested applications compare with contribution-related payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5766/21]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.

Processing times vary across schemes, depending on the different qualification criteria.  In general, contribution based schemes require less strands of information from the customer at the initial application stage and may be decided without recourse to additional documentation.  However, if information is required from social security organisations in other jurisdictions, this can affect processing times. 

Schemes that require a high level of documentary evidence from the customer, can take longer to process.  Means-tested payments can require more detailed investigation and interaction with the customer, thereby lengthening the decision-making process. 

Delays can occur if a claim is submitted and all the necessary supporting documentation is not included.  To help my Department to make timely and fair decisions on applications, customers should ensure that they complete the application forms fully, attaching all the supporting documentation required as per the checklist provided on the application forms. 

I wish to reassure the Deputy that claim processing is current well within the set targets and is  kept under active review to ensure this  standard is maintained  and improved on where possible.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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