Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the longest waiting times for social welfare appeals against refusals under the various schemes which were concluded in 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011. [7932/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I have been informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that no figures are readily available for the longest waiting times. The overall average waiting time for an appeal dealt with by way of a summary decision in 2010 was 27.4 weeks - it was 24 weeks in 2009 - while the average time to process an oral hearing was 45.6 weeks, or 35 weeks in 2009. These processing times are calculated from the registration date of the appeal to the date of its finalisation. They 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. As can be seen from the figures, a considerable period of time is added to the process when an oral hearing is required because of the logistics involved in this process. In order to be fair to all appellants, these appeals are dealt with in strict chronological order.

There has been a significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007, when the intake was 14,070. By 2010, the intake had increased to 32,432. In the context of dealing with the considerable number of appeals now on hand, the Department has made a further nine additional appointments to the office in recent weeks. 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 progress does not conflict with due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7950/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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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. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.