Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 150: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the average delay in finalising appeals for each category of social welfare payment; the number of appeal applications received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2006 and to date in 2007; the number of those appeals that were finalised; the number of appeal applicants currently waiting on an oral hearing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15640/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There were 13,800 appeals received in 2006 and 14,006 finalised. There were 3,755 appeals received up to the end of March this year and 3, 629 finalised. As of that date, there were 1,610 appeals listed for oral hearings. During 2006 the average time taken to process all appeals (i.e. those decided summarily and by way of oral hearing) was 21 weeks. However, if allowance was made for the 25% most protracted cases, the average time fell to 13.8 weeks.

Oral hearings are granted at the discretion of the Appeals Officer usually in circumstances where there is a conflict in evidence presented by both parties or where an oral hearing is requested by the appellant in order to present his or her case. Given the logistics involved in organising oral hearings, the average length of time is increased by 8 weeks where an oral hearing is involved.

The processing time for appeals covers all phases of the appeal process including the submission by my Department of its comments on the grounds for the appeal, further examination by my Department's Medical Assessors in certain sickness related cases and the holding of oral hearings which are currently afforded in two out of three cases determined by Appeals Officers. Circumstances may arise, normally outside of the control of the Social Welfare Appeals Office, which have the effect of unduly prolonging the time taken to process appeals. For example, delays can occur where the appellant submits new information or evidence, often at an advanced stage in the proceedings. In some cases adjournments may be sought by the Appellant or his/her representative.

The social welfare appeals system is a quasi-judicial one and the procedures in place for determining appeals are designed to ensure that each case receives full and satisfactory consideration. While improving processing times remains a major objective of the Social Welfare Appeals Office, it is necessary at all times to ensure that progress in this regard is achieved in a manner which is not in conflict with the demands of justice and the requirement that every appeal be fully investigated and examined on all its merits. A breakdown of appeals processing times will be forwarded to the Deputy.