Written answers

Tuesday, 31 January 2012

Department of Social Protection

Social Welfare Appeals

9:00 pm

Photo of Paul ConnaughtonPaul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 376: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a social welfare appeal in relation to farm assist will be completed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5429/12]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 30th March 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 19th April 2011 and the appeal was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 16th June 2011.

The Appeals Officer referred this case to a Social Welfare Inspector for clarification on certain issues, which required further investigation by a Social Welfare Inspector. The case was returned to the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 29th November 2011. Following further review, the Appeals Officer has decided to hold an oral hearing in the 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. 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.

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