Backlog for carer’s allowance tops 9,500

The backlog of claims for the carer’s allowance has climbed to more than 9,500 despite promises by the Department of Social Protection to tackle the long waiting lists.

Last October, the department acknowledged that a backlog of 9,000 was “unacceptable”, but fresh figures show it has reached 9,517 with claims taking an average of six months to process.

A further 1,500 people who have been refused the payment have been waiting an average of nine months to have their appeals heard.