Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes, it is on appeal rather than review. Also, when explaining to somebody who has been refused a payment the explanation should be quite clear. It might say that the medical documentation was not sufficient. What does that mean to a lay person who brought in a letter from their doctor? In most cases, it should be from a consultant. In the event that they get a cursory letter from the doctor, it is often the consultant that causes the delay. At present, there are waiting lists of two to three months in most consultants' offices just to get a letter stating what is on their file. That is a difficulty. In that two to three months a great deal can change in people's lives. This refers in particular to medical cases. Peculiarities and difficulties are created by that.

The forms and standard letters issued to people must be a great deal clearer. One will find that when people come to my office and to other Deputies' offices we have managed to help them by virtue of having some understanding of how the system works. We can tell them to go and get this or that letter. They should at least understand what a review is, and that if they have or can find additional documentation and bring it to the office, it will be reviewed and that it will take two or three weeks. That is preferable to clogging up the social welfare appeals office to such an extent that one ends up with waiting lists of six to 12 months in some instances.