Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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28. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the total number of appeals made by those refused the invalidity pension, the carer's allowance and the disability allowance for 2013 and to date in 2014; the percentage of successful appeals arising from those appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10447/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The figures requested by the Deputy relating to the number of invalidity pension, carer's allowance and disability allowance appeals received and finalised during 2013 and to the end of January 2014, and the percentage of those appeals which were successful, are provided in the table below.

A total of 4,501 invalidity pension appeals were received during 2013. 6,968 invalidity pension appeals were finalised during that year. 80.4% of the appeals which were finalised had a successful outcome for the appellant. 32.2% of the successful appeals were in fact revised decisions made by statutorily appointed deciding officers of my Department who reviewed the claim following the initial disallowance. During the first month of 2014 a total of 371 invalidity pension appeals were received and 605 invalidity pension appeals were finalised. 77.8% of the appeals which were finalised had a successful outcome for the appellant. 29.1% of those successful appeals were revised decisions of Deciding Officers.

A total of 3,869 carer’s allowance appeals were received during 2013. 3,722 carer’s allowance appeals were finalised during that year. 58.0% of the appeals which were finalised had a successful outcome for the appellant. 27.9% of those successful appeals were revised decisions made by deciding officers who reviewed the claim following the initial disallowance. During the first month of 2014 a total of 218 carer’s allowance appeals were received and 347 carer’s allowance appeals were finalised. 45.8% of those appeals which were finalised had a successful outcome for the appellant. 18.7% of those successful appeals were revised decisions of Deciding Officers.

The position with regard to disability allowance appeals is that a total of 6,836 appeals were received during 2013 and 7,745 disability allowance appeals were finalised during that year. 61.4% of those appeals which were finalised had a successful outcome for the appellant and 10.2% of those successful appeals were revised decisions made by deciding officers. During the first month of 2014 a total of 684 disability allowance appeals were received and 651 disability allowance appeals were finalised. 67.8% of those appeals which were finalised had a successful outcome for the appellant. 13.2% of those successful appeals were revised decisions of Deciding Officers.

The decisions which were revised following a review by a Deciding Officer of my Department arose as a result, in many cases, of new facts or fresh evidence produced by the claimant after the original decision on his /her claim had been made. In such cases an Appeals Officer decision was not necessary.

Table: Invalidity Pension, Carers Allowance and Disability Allowance – appeals registered and finalised in 2013 and to end January 2014 and percentage successful