Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 100: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an appeal will be made in respect of a person (details supplied). [44188/10]

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

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 30 October 2010. 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. 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.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 101: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied). [44189/10]

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

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. In order to be fair to all appellants, oral hearings are arranged in strict chronological order.

There was 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 was an increase of a further 44% in the number of appeals received in the first eight months of 2010. These increases have caused delays in the processing of appeals.

A number of initiatives have been put in place to enhance the capacity of the office to deal with the current caseload and inflows. In that regard: · 3 additional Appeals Officers were assigned to the Office in 2009, · A number of additional staff were 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 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.

In addition, it was 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 and have been operating since July.

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.

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.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 102: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an appeal will be made in respect of a person (details supplied). [44190/10]

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

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that Office on 21 October 2010. 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.

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.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 103: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when farm assist payment will issue to a person (details supplied). [44193/10]

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

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was received in that office on 05 October 2010, via the persons Local Office, along with the relevant Departmental papers and documents by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of the appeal. These papers will be referred in due course to an Appeals Officer who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing.

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.