Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding an employment appeals tribunal case in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26510/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Employment Appeals Tribunal is independent in the exercise of its quasi-judicial function. However, having made enquiries, I understand that the Tribunal received a claim from the person concerned on 21st April 2011 under the Redundancy Payment Acts, which was acknowledged on 31st May 2011.

The Tribunal has seen a marked increase in its caseload in recent years, as it is one of the front-line services directly impacted upon by the significant economic downturn. The largest increase in claims has been in redundancy appeals but other types of claims have also increased. This has had the unfortunate consequence of increasing the time it takes for a claimant to have his or her case heard. All appeals are listed for hearing in accordance with their date of lodgment with the Tribunal. The current waiting period for redundancy claims in Dublin, which includes this claim, is 52 weeks from the date of application. I fully expect the work that I have initiated with regard to the reform of the employment rights dispute resolution institutions to significantly improve the quality of service to users.