Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 273: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the steps she has taken to improve the length of time it takes to process invalidity pension appeals; if she is satisfied with the current turn around time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33572/12]

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 275: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the steps she has taken to improve the length of time it takes to process domiciliary care allowance appeals; if she is satisfied with the current turn around time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33575/12]

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the steps she has taken to improve the length of time it takes to process illness benefit appeals; if she is satisfied with the current turn around time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33606/12]

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 281: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the steps she has taken to improve the length of time it takes to process disability allowance appeals; if she is satisfied with the turn around time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33607/12]

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the steps she has taken to improve the length of time it takes to process carer's allowance appeals; if she is satisfied with the current turn around time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33612/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 273, 275, 280, 281 and 283 together.

The current processing times for the scheme types mentioned by the Deputy are included in the following table. Generally the vast majority of cases fall within average times but extenuating factors, often outside of the control of the Social Welfare Appeals Office, will cause greater delays in some cases.

In light of this, the following table showing the current processing times (based on figures at the end of June 2012) shows the overall average for each scheme along with the average when the older appeals are excluded.

These processing times are calculated from the registration date of the appeal to the date of its finalisation. They include all activities during this period including time spent in the Department for comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal put forward by the appellant, and any further investigation, examination or assessment by the Department's Inspectors and Medical Assessors that is deemed necessary. A considerable period of time is added to the process when an oral hearing is required because of the logistics involved in this process. By its nature and because it is a quasi-judicial nature, the processing of appeals takes time even at the best of times and reflects the fact that, by definition, the appeal process cannot be a quick one.

In an effort to reduce the processing times, the Department have appointed 13 additional Appeals Officers since 2010. In addition, a further 10 Appeals Officers, formerly employed by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) of the Health Services Executive joined the Office as part of the integration of the CWS appeals services into the Social Welfare Appeals Office. This has brought the total number of Appeals Officers to 40. In addition to this, the Office has improved its business processes and IT support.

I am assured by the Chief Appeals Officer that she is keeping the methods of operation by which the Social Welfare Appeals Office conducts its business under constant review, and that the processes are continuously being enhanced to reduce the backlogs in the Office and, overall, to reduce the processing times for dealing with appeals.

Appeals processing times by scheme 1/1/2012 - 30/6/2012 – Summary and Oral