John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on introducing a time limit for appeal hearings for persons who are appealing the disallowance of benefit payments where they may not be entitled to supplementary welfare assistance due to their spouses income but where the present lengthy delays with hearings cause them financial hardship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31974/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office, which is an office of the Department independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements, that priority is given to cases where the appeal concerns payments which are in the nature of an appellant's primary source of income. As regards delays in finalising appeals, I am advised that the average time taken in 2008 to process all appeals (i.e. those decided summarily and by way of oral hearing) was 22 weeks. However, if allowance is made for the 25% most protracted cases, the average time fell to just over 14 weeks. Those average processing times replicate those for 2007 notwithstanding the fact there was an increase of 27% in the number of appeals received during 2008.

There has been an increase of 32% in the number of appeals received so far this year compared to last year and, having regard to the current volume of appeals awaiting determination, two additional Appeals Officers were appointed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office earlier this year. Furthermore, I am advised that the Chief Appeals Officer is keeping current processes under continuous review with a view to achieving a more effective throughput of appeals having regard to due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice.