Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Section 8 refers to a new appeals system for the partial capacity payment. While I welcome this and agree with it, I have reservations about this going through the appeals system. We have just had a long debate on the issue of appeals and how long they take. If this goes into the regular system of appeals, it can potentially take six to 12 months to have a decision made. No employer will hold a job for six to 12 months for anybody; therefore, a person would probably lose his or her job. In some cases, a person already had an exemption and has to reapply under the new partial capacity scheme. That person is caught in a catch-22. While I will not advise against bringing in the appeals system because it is very important to people, I ask that if these appeals go through the appeals office, they be marked, with a red sticker or whatever else, to be given priority and dealt with within 21 days or one month. No way will an employer hold a job for anyone longer than this.