Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I note the Comptroller and Auditor General's recent report on the accounts of the public services shows, once again, a worryingly high success rate for social welfare appeals. From approximately 26,000 appeals, some 14,000, or just over 50%, appear to have led to a revised decision. This raises important questions about the fairness, transparency and efficiency of social welfare decision-making. If that decision-making were robust and dependable, one would expect few decisions to be overturned. How many people do not raise an appeal when they should? As the Taoiseach and I both know, as does every other Deputy, past and present, denying a payment can have a huge impact on our most vulnerable people and their dependants. Can there be an improvement in standards of work in the Department of Social Protection?

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