Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

163. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the length of time appeals for mortgage interest supplement are currently taking; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10378/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, as statistics in respect of processing times for mortgage interest supplement as a subset of supplementary welfare allowance appeals are not maintained separately in that office, the information requested by the Deputy is regrettably not available. I am advised however, that the average time taken to process supplementary welfare allowance appeals which are determined by way of a summary decision is currently 14.0 weeks and 20.3 weeks where an oral hearing is required.

Appeal 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 awaiting any clarification from the appellant, time 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 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. While this process carries an inherent delay in terms of finalising an appeal, it also crystalises the flexibility and accessibility of the appeals system.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office operates independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.