Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for allowing me in. I welcome the fact the Minister is committing to streamlining and improving the appeals process. As other speakers in the House have alluded to, I deal with constituents who are faced with lengthy waiting periods for having their appeals heard. I suggest the Minister puts a time limit on when appeals can be heard. Any applicant for a social welfare payment must make an appeal within 21 working days or the appeal will not be taken on board. Anything that is time bound focuses the mind and makes people an awful lot more efficient. I always use the example of local authorities dealing with planning applications. Planning applications have to be dealt with because it is prescribed in law that they must be dealt with in eight weeks and they are dealt with. People will return their further information within six months or the application is deemed to be withdrawn. I honestly believe that throughout our public service we need to bring in timelines as to when a decision must be made. I ask the Minister to take this on board.

See this speech in context