Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 435: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an illness benefit appeal will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [37046/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the relevant documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal. In that context, an examination by another Medical Assessor will be carried out on 29 October 2009.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 436: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a disability allowance appeal for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be finalised. [37047/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the relevant documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal. In that context, an examination by another Medical Assessor will be carried out on 27 October 2009.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 437: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a carer's allowance appeal will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [37048/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 438: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the outcome of a carer's allowance appeal for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [37049/09]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 439: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a carer's allowance appeal will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [37050/09]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 442: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an appeal for carer's allowance will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of new medical evidence submitted. [37054/09]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 444: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an appeal for farm assist will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [37056/09]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 445: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an appeal for carer's allowance will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if additional medical evidence submitted in this case will be considered. [37057/09]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 446: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a jobseeker's allowance appeal will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [37059/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 438, 439, 442 and 444 to 446, inclusive, together.

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been received and these cases have been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 440: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an appeal for child benefit will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [37051/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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This claim had been disallowed initially on the grounds of failure to satisfy the habitual residence condition. However, following the receipt of a letter confirming her employment in Ireland, the claim was reviewed and awarded on 9th October 2009 with effect from April 2009, the month after the family came to reside in the State. The Social Welfare Appeals Office was notified on 9th October 2009 that there was now no need to proceed with the appeal.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 441: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an appeal for disability allowance will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [37053/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Payment of disability allowance, to the person concerned, was refused by a Deciding Officer following an assessment by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that he was medically unsuitable for disability allowance. An appeal was opened and in the context of that appeal, his case was reviewed by a second Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that he was medically unsuitable.

I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in the light of this second medical opinion, that office decided to afford him an opportunity of setting out the complete and up to date grounds of his appeal. On receipt of his response the relevant departmental papers will be requested from the Department and the appeal will then be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 443: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the outcome of an oral hearing for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in relation to their carer's allowance appeal. [37055/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, an oral hearing of this case took place on 07 October 2009 and the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing. The Chief Appeals Officer will write to the Deputy when the appeal has been determined.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 447: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a domiciliary care allowance appeal will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [37060/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been sought in this case. On receipt of its response the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer for early consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 448: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on an appeal lodged by a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37126/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been sought in this case. On receipt of its response the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer for early consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 449: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the appeal for jobseeker's allowance for a person (details supplied) will be dealt with; the effort she is making to reduce the waiting time for appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37141/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made.

As regards waiting times, 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 39% 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

Since then, however, four Appeals Officers have retired and I am advised that every effort is being made to have those vacancies filled as a matter of urgency. Furthermore, in the light of the current situation, I am assured by the Chief Appeals Officer that he is keeping current processes under continuous review with a view to achieving a more effective throughput of appeals. In that regard, since the beginning of the year, appeals are being rigorously vetted with a view to increasing the number of cases which can be determined by way of summary decision as opposed to holding an oral hearing. As a result, the number of oral hearings as a proportion of all appeals has fallen from 62% in 2008 to 58% to date this year. In addition, a number of administrative measures have been taken so as to further simplify, streamline and improve the appeals process. The number of appeals finalised so far this year has increased by 14% over the corresponding period last year.

While improving processing times and introducing efficiencies remains a major objective of the Social Welfare Appeals Office, it is necessary at all times, given the quasi-judicial nature of the appeals process, to ensure that progress in this regard is achieved in a manner which is not in conflict with due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 450: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person in County Cork (details supplied) will receive a decision on her appeal in respect of her application for carer's benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37154/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been sought in this case. On receipt of its response the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer for early consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.