Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 64: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of disallowed social welfare claims for the years 2009 and 2010 which were subsequently overturned on appeal; the categories of claims into which they fall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10414/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the breakdown of the number of disallowed social welfare claims for the years 2009 and 2010 which were subsequently overturned on appeal by Appeals Officers and the categories into which they fall is given in the table. Overall, the number of appeals determined by Appeals officer which had a favourable outcome for appellants (i.e. either allowed or partially allowed) were 3,695 (37%) of 10,027 determined in 2009 and 4,747 (27%) of 17,499 determined in 2010. 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.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 65: To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 161 and 162 of 19 January 2011, if she will provide a breakdown of the total number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office for each payment respectively in 2010 and to date in 2011; the number awaiting decision per payment; the current average processing time for each scheme by summary decision and by oral hearing; the number of staff employed by the office in 2010; the number currently employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10471/11]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 175: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the form of calculation used to calculate the average waiting times for appeals. [10292/11]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 183: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to eradicate the long delays for social welfare appeals. [10404/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 65, 175 and 183 together.

Figures in regard to the numbers of cases received and awaiting decision, by scheme for 2010 and 2011, the average time taken to process appeals by summary decision and by oral hearing by scheme type and the number of staff in the Social Welfare Appeals Office are given in the tables attached to this reply.

I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the overall average waiting time for an appeal dealt with by way of a summary decision in 2010 was 27.4 weeks, while the average time to process an oral hearing was 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.

In an effort to reduce these processing times, the Department has made 9 additional appointments to the office in recent weeks. These assignments will augment the 3 appointments made to the Office in 2010, bringing the total number of Appeals Officers serving in the office to 29. In addition, since July 2010, 8 retired Appeals Officers, equating to a further full-time officers, have been assisting on a strictly part-time basis with the backlogs of appeals and it is intended that they will be employed until the end of the year.

In addition to 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.

As a result of the various initiatives taken, a total of 17,499 appeals were finalised by Appeals Officers in 2010 in comparison to 10,027 for 2009. When revised decisions and withdrawn cases are taken into account the total number of cases finalised in 2010 was 28,166 in comparison to 17,787 for 2009.

There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 when the intake rose to 32,432. In order to be fair to all appellants, appeals are being dealt with in strict chronological order.

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.

Staff of Social Welfare Appeals Office

* From February 2009, the position of Office Manager has been subsumed into the duties of the Deputy Chief Appeals Officer