David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

Will the Minister examine this issue to ascertain whether an adjustment is required, given that many appeals are turned around, and rightly so, by the appeals office? Why is the information from the applicant requested at the deciding officer stage? Why must it go to the appeals stage as the Minister suggests? Does the Minister agree that something must be done in this regard as approximately 6,000 people are put through the stress and strain of being obliged to go through the appeals office, although they should not have been obliged to do so in the first place? Moreover, this issue appears to be worsening. Will the Minister talk to his officials in the Department to ascertain what can be done to assist at the deciding officer stage?

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