Social Security Agency Report On Decision Making And Accuracy

22 February 2006
SOCIAL SECURITY AGENCY REPORT ON DECISION MAKING AND ACCURACY
The Department for Social Development today published its Annual Report on Decision Making and Case Accuracy in the Social Security Agency for 2004/2005.
Eileen Evason, (Emeritus Professor in Social Administration, University of Ulster), chair of the Northern Ireland Standards Committee said:
"The central task of the Standards Committee is to provide assurance to the Chief Executive of the Agency that robust mechanisms for monitoring the standard of decision making are in place. On the basis of my experience this year, I am happy to provide that assurance. With regard to the quality of decision making itself, the report indicates a reasonably good standard of decision making in many areas of work but there is clearly room for improvement. The Committee looks forward to progress being made on these in the coming year."
Gerry Keenan, the Chief Executive of the Social Security Agency said: "The Agency continues to strive to improve quality and there are encouraging signs that this is making an impact and that the trend is positive in terms of financial accuracy. Losses, through fraud and error, continue to be reduced. Nevertheless, we will continue to pursue better standards relentlessly."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The Annual Report on Decision Making and Case Accuracy is available from The Stationery Office, 16 Arthur Street, Belfast or on the Department for Social Development website http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/ under Publications.
2. The Report has been approved by the Northern Ireland Standards Committee which is chaired up by Eileen Evason, Emeritus Professor in Social Administration and Policy (University of Ulster) who has written the foreword to the Report. Barry McVeigh of the Northern Ireland Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux and Kevin Higgins of Advice Services Northern Ireland are the two other Independent members of the Committee.
3. During the year 9,368 decisions were examined for accuracy of payment and 5,166 decisions were checked for the quality of decision. Financial Accuracy of payment for Income Support was 97.8%; Jobseeker's Allowance 98.4%; Disability Living Allowance 93.5%; Incapacity Benefit 98.2%; Retirement Pension 99.6% and Pension Credit 95.4%.

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