Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he intends introducing changes to the Social Welfare Appeals Office practice of only partially publishing its decisions. [17548/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Independent Social Welfare Appeals Office deals with approximately 14, 000 appeals annually and, in the context of that volume of cases, it would not be feasible to publish cases in the level of detail implied by the Deputy's Question. However, it does currently provide information on its decisions at a number of different levels.

The annual report of the Chief Appeals Officer contains detailed statistical information on appeals outcomes broken down over the full range of Departmental schemes and services. In addition to that quantitative analysis, a number of case studies which are representative or of particular note are included in the report. The purpose of selecting cases for publication in this way is to give an indication of the issues that give rise to an appeal and to clarify the process by which appeals are determined, whether by way of summary decision or following an oral hearing.

The format for publishing these cases involves a statement of the question at issue, a summary of the evidence given at the oral hearing, the consideration given to the evidence by the Appeals Officer, followed by the Appeals Officer's decision. The basis for the Appeals Officer's decision is outlined in each case, as are questions raised in relation to current legislative provisions or the requirements of natural justice and fair procedures.

A further channel is now available through which appeals cases can be published. The new website for the Social Welfare Appeals Office (www.socialwelfareappeals.ie) will allow interested parties to gain access to many more reports than is currently available in the annual report. However, before any case is published on the website, all information which might compromise the privacy of an individual appellant must be removed.

An Appeals officer, in line with statutory requirements, gives the individual the reasons for his/her decision in every case where the outcome is unfavourable to the appellant. The Social Welfare Appeals Office provides an independent adjudication service to members of the public who are dissatisfied with decisions given in relation to their social welfare entitlements. I am keen to ensure that it provides that service in an open and transparent way consistent with protecting the privacy of individual appellants.