Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 315: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the average processing time for an appeal in respect of supplementary welfare allowance; and the average processing time for an appeal in respect of mortgage interest supplement. [19591/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE) on behalf of the Department, provides a basic weekly allowance for eligible people who have little or no income. The scheme also provides for a weekly or monthly supplement to be paid in respect of mortgage interest. Under existing arrangements, an appeal against a decision on entitlement to supplementary welfare allowance or mortgage interest supplement is made in the first instance to a designated appeals officer in the HSE. A person may, if they so wish, make a further appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office, if they are dissatisfied with the decision of the HSE appeals officer.

Appeal processing times vary from 5 to 12 weeks on average depending on workloads, complexity and whether or not there is a need for an oral hearing of the appeal. Available information does not distinguish between appeal processing times for supplementary welfare allowance and other supplements such as mortgage interest supplement.