Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of appeals awaiting decision in the Social Welfare Appeals Office; the average time it takes for an appeal to be processed; the action he will take to address a backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7994/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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There were 5,641 appeals awaiting decisions on 23 February 2006. Work is in progress in these cases at the various stages of the appeals process. 2,853 of those cases are receiving attention in the Appeals Office, 2,295 in my Department while a further 493 cases are awaiting responses from appellants.

The last year for which figures are available is 2005 when the average length of time taken to deal with all appeals, i.e. those decided summarily and by way of an oral hearing, was 20 weeks on average. If allowance is made for the 25% most protracted cases, this average time falls to 13 weeks. Statistics in respect of 2006 are currently being compiled it is not expected those processing times will vary to any significant extent.

The processing time for appeals covers all phases of the appeal process including the submission of comments by the Department's Deciding Officers on the grounds for the appeal, further examinations by the Department's Medical Assessors in certain sickness related cases, and the holding of oral hearings which are currently afforded in two out of every three cases determined by Appeals Officers.

Circumstances can arise, normally outside of the control of the Appeals Office, which can have the effect of unduly prolonging the time taken to process appeals. For example, delays can occur where the appellant, sometimes at a late stage in the proceedings, furnishes new evidence which requires investigation or where an adjournment may be sought by the appellant or his or her representatives.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office deals with about 14,000 appeals on an annual basis and the provision of a prompt service remains a major customer service objective and available resources are prioritized to the greatest possible extent so as to achieve the best possible standard of service to its customers.

However, the nature of the service provided is quasi-judicial and the procedures in place for determining appeals are designed to ensure that each case receives full and satisfactory consideration. Consequently, improvements in processing times must be achieved in a manner which is consistent with justice being seen to be done and the need to ensure that every appeal is fully investigated and determined on all its circumstances.