Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Department of Social and Family Affairs

Social Welfare Appeals

10:00 am

Photo of Mary UptonMary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 452: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of social welfare appeals awaiting a response; the average length of time taken to process such appeals; the longest period for which a person is currently awaiting resolution of their appeal; if he will ensure that those people awaiting a response will be informed of the possible length of time before their case is determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29740/10]

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office there are currently 21,622 appeals being processed. The receipt of each appeal is acknowledged and appellants are kept informed of the progress of their appeals. However, given the volume of appeals, it is not possible to estimate the length of time before a case is determined.

During 2009, the average time taken to process all appeals (i.e. those decided summarily and by way of oral hearing) was 24 weeks. However, if allowance is made for the 25% most protracted cases, the average time falls to 15.8 weeks. This represents an increase of 2 weeks in the time taken to process appeals when compared to 2008.

The longest period for which a person is currently awaiting resolution of an appeal is seven years, but this case has been delayed pending the outcome of related matters currently before the High Court. The majority of cases on hands were received since mid-2009 and during 2010.

There has been a significant growth in the number of appeals over the past couple of years with an expected intake of some 35,000 in 2010 compared with around 15,000 per annum up to and including 2007 and, while this growth is clearly impacting on processing times, it must also be remembered that such processing times cover all phases of the appeal process including the submission by the Department of its comments on the grounds for the appeal, further examination by the Department's Medical Assessors in certain illness related cases, further investigation by Social Welfare Inspectors where required and circumstances may also arise where further information is sought from the appellant. Delays can also 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 appellants or their representatives.

A number of initiatives are currently underway designed to enhance the capacity of the office to deal with the current caseload and inflows. In that regard:

2 additional Appeals Officers were assigned to the Office in 2009, A number of additional staff are being assigned to the administration area of the Office, The organisation of the Appeals Officer's work has been changed so as to increase productivity, A project to improve the business processes in the office is underway and a number of improvements have already been implemented, and Significant enhancements are being made to the office's IT and phone systems.

Notwithstanding these measures, it is clear that additional staff are required in the short term to address the backlog that has developed. It has been decided to use experienced retired staff strictly on a short term basis to supplement the current resources and the services of eight retired officers have now been secured on a part-time basis. To facilitate this initiative, the Social Welfare Bill, has commenced second stage in Seanad Eireann, includes an amendment to allow these retired officers to decide appeal cases. The Chief Appeals Officer is monitoring the situation closely.

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