Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an appeal regarding jobseeker's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23855/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that Office. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

There has been a 46% increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2009 when compared to 2008, which in itself was 27% greater than the numbers received in 2007. There has been an increase of a further 46% in the number of appeals received in the first quarter of 2010. These increases have caused delays in the processing of appeals. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.