Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

Does the Minister agree the appeals system is a shambles? Every Member is only too well aware of the difficulties. For example, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle recently drew attention to this problem. The typical waiting time for an appeal is in excess of nine months. Oral hearings that were first requested in August 2009 have not yet been heard. That is how bad it is. The Minister referred to the additional staff he has provided. Does he accept the information I received in reply to a recent parliamentary question, which stated the capacity of the appeals office is to handle 29,000 appeals in the current year? However, there is demand for 50,000 appeals. How does he intend to bridge that gap? Not only are the delays costing the State and claimants money, waiting times will worsen unless the Department meets demand. What action does the Minister intend to take?

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