Darragh O'Brien (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 242: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the progress with the appeal for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43879/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision on 18 November 2010. The person concerned has been notified of the decision. 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.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 243: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time for appeals in respect of child benefit applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43884/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Officer that the average time to process a Child Benefit appeal is at present 51.7 weeks. These processing times are calculated from the registration date of the appeal to the date of its finalisation and include all activities during this period including time spent in the Department for comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal put forward by the appellant and any further investigation. This part of the process took on average 35.8 weeks.

A considerable period of time is added to the process when an oral hearing is required because of the logistics involved in this process. During 2009, 59% of all appeal cases were dealt with by way of oral hearing but, due to some of the initiatives outlined below, this has been reduced to 31% in 2010 to date. In order to be fair to all appellants, the vetting of appeals and the arranging of oral hearings are dealt with in chronological order.

Since January 2009, 3 additional Appeals Officers have been assigned to the Office, as well as 4 additional staff to the administration area. In addition, it was decided to use experienced retired Appeals Officers strictly on a short term basis to supplement the current resources and eight of these officers have been operating on a part-time basis since July. In addition to the provision of more staff, more emphasis is now being placed on dealing with appeals on a summary basis so as to increase productivity, a project to improve the business processes in the office was undertaken which has resulted in a number of improvements being implemented and significant enhancements have been made to the office's IT and phone systems.

As a result of all of these initiatives, a total of 22,995 appeals have been finalised until the end of October in comparison to 14,278 in the same period in 2009. I am assured by the Chief Appeals Officer that she is keeping current processes under continuous review with a view to achieving a more effective throughput of appeals, while ensuring that any progress does not conflict with due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice.