Written answers
Wednesday, 23 March 2022
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Social Welfare Payments
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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124. 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; the extent of progress in reducing waiting times for means-tested payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15380/22]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The following means test based schemes are assessed in terms of operational performance:
- State Pension (Non-Contributory)
- Jobseeker's Allowance
- One-Parent Family Payment
- Supplementary Welfare Allowance Total
- Carer's Allowance
- Disability Allowance
- Household Benefits
The following schemes which are based on PRSI contributions are also assessed:
- State Pension (Contributory)
- Widow(er)'s Contributory Pension
- Jobseeker's Benefit
- Maternity Benefit
- Paternity Benefit
- Invalidity Pension
- Illness Benefit
- Occupational Injury Benefit
The attached tabular statement below outlines the agreed target and metric for each scheme, along with the average targets achieved in February 2022. The performance from February 2021 is also included in the table to show the extent of progress in reducing waiting times for means-tested payments.
| Scheme | Target | Metric | Target performance February 2022 Target performance February 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Pension (Non-Contributory) | 75% | In 12 Weeks | 88% | 88% |
| Jobseeker's Allowance | 90% | In 6 Weeks | 97% | 96% |
| One-Parent Family Payment | 90% | In 10 Weeks | 98% | 96% |
| Supplementary Welfare Allowance Basic | 90% | In 1 Week | 93% | 93% |
| Carer's Allowance | 75% | In 12 Weeks | 93% | 95% |
| Disability Allowance | 75% | In 12 Weeks | 95% | 93% |
| Household Benefits | 90% | In 4 Weeks | 100% | 100% |
The performances of contribution related payments, as of February 2022 are included in the tabular statement below:
| Scheme | Target | Metric Target performance February 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Pension (Contributory) | 90% | By date of entitlement | 94% |
| Widow(er)'s Contributory Pension | 90% | In 6 Weeks | 95% |
| Jobseeker's Benefit | 90% | In 3 Weeks | 93% |
| Maternity Benefit | 90% | By due date | 83% |
| Paternity Benefit | 90% | By Commencement of leave | 80% |
| Invalidity Pension | 90% | In 10 Weeks | 91% |
| Illness Benefit | 90% | In 1 week | 77% |
| Occupational Injury Benefit | 90% | In 1 week | 60% |
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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125. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the degree to which the processing of various applications for social welfare payments continues to be in line with best possible waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15381/22]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The relevant information is outlined in the table below and outlines the average performance of schemes for the period March 2021 to February 2022 compared to the agreed targets. Two thirds of the schemes profiled below achieved or exceeded their targets.
| Scheme | Target | Metric | Average targets achieved (March 2021 - February 2022) |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Pension (Contributory) | 90% | By date of entitlement | 94% |
| Widow(er)'s Contributory Pension | 90% | In 6 Weeks | 95% |
| State Pension (Non-Contributory) | 75% | In 12 Weeks | 88% |
| Jobseeker's Allowance | 90% | In 6 Weeks | 97% |
| Jobseeker's Benefit | 90% | In 3 Weeks | 93% |
| One-Parent Family Payment | 90% | In 10 Weeks | 98% |
| Supplementary Welfare Allowance Basic | 90% | In 1 Week | 93% |
| Maternity Benefit | 90% | By due date | 83% |
| Paternity Benefit | 90% | By Commencement of leave | 80% |
| Carer's Allowance | 75% | In 12 Weeks | 93% |
| Disability Allowance | 75% | In 12 Weeks | 95% |
| Invalidity Pension | 90% | In 10 Weeks | 91% |
| Illness Benefit | 90% | In 1 week | 77% |
| Occupational Injury Benefit | 90% | In 1 week | 60% |
| Child Benefit | 90% | In 4 Weeks | 81% |
| Domiciliary Care Allowance | 90% | In 10 Weeks | 65% |
| Household Benefits | 90% | In 4 Weeks | 100% |
| Free Travel | 90% | In 2 Weeks | 90% |
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