Written answers
Thursday, 7 December 2023
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Social Welfare Payments
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
262. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which any backlogs have been addressed in respect of various headings and payments operated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54429/23]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
My Department understands the many pressures faced by customers and always seeks to ensure that claims are processed quickly and efficiently.
Processing times for new applications vary across schemes, depending on the differing qualification criteria. Schemes that require a high level of documentary evidence from the customer, particularly in the case of illness-related schemes, can take longer to process. Similarly, means-tested schemes can also require more detailed investigations and interaction with the applicant, thereby lengthening the decision-making process. Delays can also arise if information is required from social security organisations in other jurisdictions and where additional information has been requested from the applicant but remains outstanding.
I am pleased to report that claims processing is generally up to date, with processing targets met and exceeded for most of the primary schemes. My Department continues to ensure that customer service is maintained at a high level.
The table below shows the current processing times (end of October 2023) and the performance targets for each scheme.
| Scheme Type | Target Weeks to Process Claims | Average Processing Times (Weeks) | Percentage of claims awarded within target |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Pension (Contributory) - Irish | 90% by date of entitlement | 8 | 92% |
| Carer’s Allowance | 75% in 10 weeks | 6 | 88% |
| Carer’s Benefit | 90% in 12 weeks | 4 | Not available |
| Child Benefit | 90% in 4 weeks | 1 | 72% |
| Disability Allowance | 75% in 10 weeks | 10 | 62% |
| Domiciliary Care Allowance | 90% in 10 weeks | 6 | 95% |
| Free Travel | 90% in 2 weeks | 8 | 96% |
| Household Benefits | 90% in 4 weeks | 1 | 99% |
| Illness Benefit | 90% in 1 week | 1 | 95% |
| Invalidity Pension | 90% in 10 weeks | 8 | 95% |
| Jobseeker’s Allowance | 90% in 6 weeks | 2 | 96% |
| Jobseeker’s Benefit | 90% in 3 weeks | 1 | 95% |
| Maternity Benefit | 90% by due date | 6 | 94% |
| Occupational Injury Benefit | 90% in 1 week | 1 | 63% |
| One-Parent Family Payment | 90% in 10 weeks | 4 | 97% |
| Parent’s Benefit | 90% by commencement of leave | 1 | 97% |
| Paternity Benefit | 90% by commencement of leave | 6 | 93% |
| State Pension Non-Contributory | 75% in 12 weeks | 6 | 88% |
| Supplementary Welfare Allowance Basic | 90% in 1 week | 1 | 85% |
| Widow(er)’s Contributory Pension | 90% in 6 weeks | 1 | 96% |
| Working Family Payment | 90% in 6 weeks | 5 | Not available |
Overall, I am pleased that my department continues to ensure that the customer service has been maintained at a high level.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
No comments