Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

Absolutely. The number of decisions appealed in the first place is approximately 2%, so 98% of decisions are accepted. However, the figure for successful or partially successful appeals at 40% is high on the face of it. We must examine the issue. I have often written appeals for constituents and gone to appeals hearings with them, although this changed when I became a Minister. I got more information from the client in the appeal than what was in the final information available to the deciding officer in the first place; the appeal might not have been necessary if such information was always available.

This seems to happen with medical certification in particular. If people are refused a benefit on medical grounds they are told to go to a consultant for a long explanation of the medical condition.

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