Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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105. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of cases referred to appeal in respect of invalidity pension, disability allowance or other health-related payments; the number of such cases in respect of which the decision on appeal was in favour of the applicant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18253/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The figures requested by the Deputy relating to the main health-related payments received and finalised during 2013 and to the end of March 2014, are provided in the following table.

A total of 4,501 invalidity pension appeals were received during 2013. A total of 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 invalidity pension appeals which were finalised during 2013 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 3 months of 2014 a total of 975 invalidity pension appeals were received and 1,253 invalidity pension appeals were finalised. 77.4% of the appeals which were finalised had a successful outcome for the appellant and 22.4% of the cases finalised were revised decisions of Deciding Officers.

In the case of disability allowance appeals, 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 appeals finalised were revised decisions made by deciding officers. During the first three months of 2014 a total of 1,847 disability allowance appeals were received and 2,094 disability allowance appeals were finalised. 65.52% of those appeals which were finalised had a successful outcome for the appellant. 6.4% of appeals finalised 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.

Appeal Receipts and Outcomes 2013 – 2014 (to 31/3/2014)