Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

On 31 December 2012 there were 20,414 appeals in hand. On 31 December 2013 there were 14,770, a fall of 28% in the backlog of appeals. During 2012 a total of 32,588 decisions were made. During 2013 a total of 38,421 decisions were made, an increase of 18%. We are beginning to get through the backlog, but it is still significant. As our technology improves, I hope we will be able to deal with a significantly greater number of cases through review rather than have to go to the appeals office which is an independent process. Once it goes to it a certain amount of time is involved in the initiation of an appeal. That is a separate process from the work of the Department. It is also falling because clearing the backlog in the award of invalidity pensions has cut down on the number of appeals and is likely to continue to do so in the future.

As people return to work the number of appeals is likely to fall.