Written answers

Wednesday, 18 April 2012

Department of Social Protection

Social Welfare Appeals

10:00 pm

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 624: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an oral hearing will be arranged for a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who has made an appeal to the social welfare appeals office and who has been waiting almost six months for an oral hearing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18925/12]

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 and 2011 when the intake rose to 32,432 and 31,241 respectively. 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 she 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 Arthur SpringArthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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Question 625: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive a decision in respect of their carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18935/12]

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 04th January 2012. 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 14th March 2012 and the appeal will, in due course, be assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

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 Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 626: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for disability allowance will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18939/12]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer decision.

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 Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 627: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for invalidity pension will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18940/12]

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 03rd November 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 28th March 2012 and the appeal will, in due course, be assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

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 Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 628: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a review appeal in respect of a decision not to grant an invalidity pension to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18941/12]

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 27th January 2012. 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. When received, the appeal in question will be referred, in due course, to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

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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