§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he will adopt to ensure that applications in respect of the social fund will be expedited.
§ Mr. Tim SmithResponsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Mr. A. Wylie to Mr. Eddie McGrady, dated 18 April 1994: 394W
I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about what steps will be taken to ensure that applications in respect of the Social Fund will be expedited.During the 1993/94 year a new Social Fund computer system was introduced to all social security offices throughout Northern Ireland. The introduction of this system will help to ensure that Social Fund applications are processed promptly and accurately and therefore provide an efficient service to customers.Work is also continuing to improve the design of Social Fund application forms. It is aimed at helping customers to supply all the information needed to allow informed decisions to be made on applications. This should reduce the number of instances where Social Fund officers have to contact customers for further information and will expedite the process leading to decisions.I hope you find this information helpful.