Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for coming in this morning. I apologise for missing some of the opening statement as I was in the Chamber. I have a couple of questions.

In the opening statement, a loss of experienced staff and a high turnover of appeals officers was mentioned. Could our witnesses speak a little more on that and why that is happening? Also perhaps they could advise - I know there are some figures there, but just so we are clear - how many full-time appeals officers are there? Are there enough given the high level of appeals that are received every year and the length of time that appeals are taking as well?

On the new appeals system, the appeals modernisation project, will there be an in-person element in relation to oral hearings when that new system is up and running in 2023? We have received correspondence that tells us the opposite to what the witnesses are telling us, which is, of course, concerning. I would suggest that some reassurance be given to their staff and all those in their section because whether it is a miscommunication or whatever it is, we have received correspondence that it is the opposite to what they are telling us. I think that reassurance would be welcome and perhaps that is something they could undertake to do within their section.