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THERE HAS BEEN a call for measures to be put in place to reduce the average waiting times for processing social welfare claims.
The average waiting time to process applications for carer’s allowance claims is 21 weeks (as of 30 April).
Meanwhile, the waiting times for processing disability allowance and invalidity pension claims are 10 and 12 weeks respectively.
The waiting period is much shorter for jobseeker’s benefit and jobseeker’s allowance – just one week and two weeks respectively.
The figures were released in response to a parliamentary question asked by Independents 4 Change TD Tommy Broughan to new Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar. Broughan said many of the waiting times are “unnecessarily long”, something that needs to be “urgently addressed”.
Broughan said the 21-week average wait for carer’s allowance claims to be processed is “completely unacceptable for friends and family members of loved ones who require full-time care and who often do so for a long time at their own expense”.
The average waiting times for various payments vary from one week to 39 weeks.
A spokesperson told us the department “always aims to ensure that claims are processed as quickly as possible”, noting: “This is possible in most cases and each scheme area is continuously monitored.”
Processing times can vary across schemes, depending on the differing qualification criteria. Some schemes require a high level of documentary evidence from the customer, particularly illness-related schemes, and can take longer to process. Similarly, means-tested payments require more detailed investigation and interaction with the applicant, lengthening the decision making process.
The spokesperson added that delays can also arise “when the application form is not completed fully or supporting documentation is not provided”.
They noted that there is no backlog for family income supplement applications, with new claims processed “within two or three weeks and renewals processed in advance of the previous claim ending”.
In terms of treatment benefit claims, which cover dental and optical issues and hearing aids, the spokesperson said they are processed within one-and-a-half weeks of receipt, adding: “There are no delays in spite of 450,000 claims being made annually.”
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Kenny has a nice EU commissioner role awaiting him in Brussels, which is his 30 pieces of silver for not burning the bondholders but burdened the Irish taxpayers with debt.
@Permo Dermo: that wasn’t him. Blame that lying bast@rd Brian Cowan for that
@jason bourne: Actually jason it was Enda “its not our debt” that put us on the rack,
@Permo Dermo:
Please. The people who burdened the Irish taxpayers with debt were the public sector unions, who’s refusal to give an inch on their bloated pay and pensions during the recession led to a €20 billion annual deficit, every year. The bank bailout was small change compared to that.
@Fred Jensen: €20 > €64?? oh ya I forgot you’re probably using leprechaun economics.
@Fred Jensen: You are some moron aren’t you if you believe that. Aside from the incontrovertible fact that every public sector employee took a fairly hefty pay cut, one which is only now beginning to be only slightly undone, and had a public sector only pension levy applied, how could anyone forget that it was the failure of private sector organisations – banks and property developers among others – that caused the recession and economic collapse. Don’t be so daft
@Fred Jensen: Fred would you ever cop on to yourself.
Why wasn’t tosser listed.
Well this gombeen ever exit the stage.he sold out his own people in favour of the EU,has to be the most embarrassing leader ever
The sheer arrogance of the man, did the same when it came to announcing the date of the last General Election, flip-flopping around for months, unwilling to inform the Irish people when they would be allowed to cast their vote, forgetting that he is nothing more than a PUBLIC SERVANT. Should be in jail for treason.
Surely Seannachi-in-chief. I know a homeless fella on a bench in merrion square with a pint in each hand who will second him for the role, as soon as he’s finished phoning everyone to tell them how much extra water is in his taps thanks to fine gael.
He wasn’t good enough to be taoiseach never mind any of the other jobs. The fact that the EU people see him as a soft touch to advance their own objectives (hence all the EU praise) will rule him out for all of those jobs. I can’t remember one important decision he’s made in the 6 years he’s been taoiseach, except that announcement for the immigrant vote referendum a few months back which will mean nothing to most of us.
@Adrian: The Aqueduct?
“Recently, there has been speculation that Kenny should be kept on as Brexit minister.”
Why would we want “its not our debt” any were near important discussions…..
40 years as a TD, stayed under the radar for 30 odd years collecting his wages and then spent the past few years keeping his masters in Brussels happy to make sure he gets a plum job in Europe. He’s done very well for “himself” and will be looked after while phase two austerity continues to be implemented under stealth taxes and lack of investment in public services. That’s his legacy and as long as the Irish people continue to FF/FG, many more entitled TD’s will enrich themselves on the back of the gullible Irish voter.
While he collects his Taoiseach’s massive pension pot and then the 100k lump sum and the 30k a year teachers pension, he can think about it.
Prison cell
@Jonathan Yeo: so it’s a crime to save a country from economic ruins?
@Negan: lol
@Negan: what planet are you on, I’d like to visit for a few hours.
What about absolute waster?
Quentin Tarantino is looking for a new gimp for Pulp Fiction 2
Would his incompetence be put up with anywhere else.
@William Clay: Only in the EU…..
He could get a job working for Dinny?
Like Cowan did.
Who would have him the circus wouldn’t take him!!
@vinnie Monaghan. Cos he already holds that job title.
He should be booted out of politics.
Why doesn’t he volunteer and dosomething worthwhile ? Why a job with a big salary and yet another pension?
A bog in his beloved mayo,,bury him in it
@Shane O Malley: Shane with a name like O Malley at u sure u wouldn’t like to be buried with him.
Backbencher?
Go back teaching-ar u. Joking-he couldn’t teach a donkey.He will b over in the canaries rubbing the sun cream onto Finnullas back.
Enda wants the private lick arse job to Merkel.
have your say