Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 363: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the total number of appeals against disallowance of various social welfare payments currently with appeal officers; the average length of time taken to determine such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3808/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for carer's allowance currently on appeal; the number on appeal for two months, four months, eight months, 12 months or more whose cases have not been determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3812/11]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 378: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the average time it took to process social welfare appeals in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3918/11]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 379: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the total number of social welfare appeals outstanding at the end of 2010; the number of appeals per social welfare payment at that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3919/11]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 380: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of social welfare appeals decided and the numbers upheld and rejected in 2008, 2009 and 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3920/11]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 363 and 367 to 380, inclusive, together.

The figures requested in relation to the number of appeals outstanding at the end of 2010, broken down by social welfare payments and the number of appeals decided, with their outcomes, for 2008, 2009 and 2010 are given in the tables attached to the reply. At 31/12/10, there were 2,145 applications for carer's allowance on appeal but figures are not readily available as to the number on appeals awaiting determination for two months, four months, eight months, and 12 months or more as requested by the Deputy.

The average waiting time in cases decided by way of a summary decision is 27.4 weeks, while the average time to process an oral hearing is 45.6 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, examination or assessment by the Department's Inspectors and Medical Assessors that is deemed necessary. A considerable period of time is added to the process when an oral hearing is required because of the logistics involved in this process.

The annual intake of appeals has increased from 14,070 in 2007 to 32,432 in 2010, an increase of 18,362 (130.5%). A number of initiatives have been taken to deal with these increases, including the deployment of additional staff resources to the Office. The Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010 facilitated the use of experienced retired former Appeals Officers, on a strictly temporary basis to assist in reducing the backlog of Social Welfare Appeals cases.

In conjunction with the provision of extra staff, more emphasis is now placed on dealing with appeals on a summary basis so as to increase productivity. As a result, the number of appeals dealt with by way of oral hearing was reduced from 59% in 2009 to 31.5% in 2010. A project to improve the business processes in the office was also 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.

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.

Appeals decided with their outcomes 2008 - 2010