Carer's allowance waiting times
Deputy Brady raised a sharp rise in carer’s allowance waiting times and said the issue was relevant to next week’s social welfare Bill. The Chair repeatedly ruled it out of order for the Order of Business, and Brady maintained that the Taoiseach should address it.
Next week we are dealing with the social welfare Bill.
On foot of a freedom of information request by Sinn Féin, we found that waiting times for applicants, for example, for carer's allowance has jumped from 19 weeks in June to 40 weeks.
Comment on this
It might be serious but it is not relevant to the Order of Business and the Deputy will have to find another way to raise this.
Comment on this
It is relevant. We will deal with the social welfare Bill next week. There is an onus on the Taoiseach to address the issue of someone waiting 40 weeks for carer's allowance.
Comment on this
The Deputy's party representative can take it up with the Business Committee. Is the proposal for dealing with Wednesday's business agreed to?
Comment on this
Question put: "That the proposals for dealing with Wednesday's sitting be agreed to."
Do you agree with this result?