Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

863. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current waiting time for applications for carer’s allowance; the number of persons awaiting a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63713/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care.

It is a condition for receipt of Carer's Allowance that the person being cared for must have such disability that they require full-time care and attention.  This is defined as requiring, from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and being likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.

My 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.  The claim processing target for CA is to process 75% of new claims within 10 weeks.  In December 2022, 91% of claims were processed within 10 weeks.

The current average processing time for CA applications is 7 weeks.  At the end of December 2022, the number of persons with a claim pending decision was 2,907.

The volume of CA claims on hands are a consequence of continued strong claim intake.  Delays in processing may result where a form is not completed fully or supporting documentation that is requested on the application form is not supplied.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.