Written answers

Wednesday, 14 September 2011

Department of Social Protection

Social Welfare Appeals

9:00 pm

Photo of Paul ConnaughtonPaul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 336: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a disability allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway due the fact that same is with the appeal office since September 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23215/11]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan 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.

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. This has significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order. In the context of dealing with the considerable number of appeals now on hand, the Department has made 9 additional appointments to the office earlier this year.

While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person's oral hearing will be heard, but s/he will be informed when arrangements have been made.

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.

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 337: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the decision to refuse social welfare benefits in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; the reason child benefit was refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23229/11]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The claim for child benefit, by the person concerned, was disallowed by a Deciding Officer of the Department on the grounds that she did not satisfy the habitual residence conditions. Her application for one parent family payment and supplementary welfare allowance was similarly disallowed.

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence, including that adduced at an oral hearing, disallowed the appeals of the person concerned.

Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts.

Following the submission of additional evidence the Appeals Officer has agreed to review the case. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of her appeals have been finalised.

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.

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