Written answers

Tuesday, 11 October 2011

Department of Social Protection

Social Welfare Appeals

8:00 pm

Photo of Emmet StaggEmmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason rent allowance appeals are being transferred from the Health Service Executive in Walkinstown, Dublin 12, to the social welfare appeals office in D'Olier House, Dublin 2, in view of the backlog that exists in appeals in that office already and specifically in the case of a rent allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and when the appeal will be determined. [28682/11]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Following on from the transfer of the Community Welfare Service from the Health Services Executive (HSE) to the Department of Social Protection, with effect from Saturday 1st October, legislation was commenced which provides that appeals for supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) will be made to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. Up to now, the legislation provided for a 2 step process, first to the Health Services Executive (HSE) and, if still dissatisfied, to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

It is estimated that approximately 10% or 1,000 SWA appellants availed of the 2 step process (based on 2010 figures). 10 former HSE Appeals Officers are now being integrated into the Social Welfare Appeals Office on foot of the transfer of these appeals from the HSE and it is hoped that there are synergies to be gained from that merger and the reduction in SWA appeals which will enhance the capacity of the office.

I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal for SWA for the person concerned has not yet been registered with this office. Any appeals that have been submitted in recent weeks to the HSE, are now in the process of being transferred to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. These appeals will be registered and acknowledged by the Social Welfare Appeals Office in due course. The Chief Appeals Officer has assured me that all appropriate measures are being taken to address the smooth transfer of SWA appeals to her office. 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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