Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 328: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if legislation will be required to implement the commitment in the programme for Government to divert staff from elsewhere in the public service to clear the social welfare appeals backlog; and introduce a consolidated appeals process. [18293/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Since the commitment to which the Deputy refers was made, the Department has made 9 additional appointments to the Social Welfare Appeals Office from within its own resources. These assignments 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 3 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.

The need for further resources, if any, will be kept under continuous review in the light of the extent to which the backlog is reduced over the coming months.

Later this year the Community Welfare Service will be merging with the Department of Social Protection. In that regard, the Community Welfare Service appeals system and the Social Welfare Appeals Office will be consolidated into a single appeals service once the formal transfer takes place. Enabling legislation to provide for this is contained in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2008.