Written answers

Tuesday, 8 November 2011

Department of Social Protection

Social Welfare Appeals

9:00 pm

Photo of Áine CollinsÁine Collins (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 272: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [33213/11]

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

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that there are five appeals pending for the person concerned and the appeals were registered in that office as follows, supplementary welfare allowance 06 September 2010, child benefit 07 December 2010, domiciliary care allowance 26 January 2011, disability allowance 02 February 2011 and carers allowance 28 September 2011. The appeals were referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in all cases.

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.

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.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.