Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

69. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the sections of her Department currently affected by longer than average appeal waiting times; the extent to which she will address this issue during the current year and in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5290/15]

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

The average appeal processing time for January 2015 and for 2014 broken down by all social welfare scheme types is outlined in the tables below.

Appeal processing times peaked in 2011 when the average time for an oral hearing was 52.5 weeks and for a summary decision was 25.1 weeks. In 2012 the average processing time for an oral hearing dropped to 39.5 weeks and the time for a summary decision increased slightly to 27.8 weeks. Further improvements were achieved in 2013, when the average appeal processing time reduced to 33.9 weeks for an oral hearing and 25.8 weeks for a summary decision. As at end January 2015 the average time taken to process an appeal requiring an oral hearing has reduced to 27.9 weeks and for a summary decision to 18.0 weeks.

The reduction in processing time reflects the significant resources which have been invested in the Social Welfare Appeals Office over the last number of years.

In addition to the improvement in processing times, these measures have also led to a significant reduction in the number of appeals on hand from 20,414 at 1 January 2013 to 9,501 at 31^stJanuary 2015.

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 by the Department’s Inspectors and Medical Assessors that is deemed necessary. While this process carries an inherent delay in terms of finalising an appeal, it also crystalises the flexibility and accessibility of the appeals system. By its nature and because it is a quasi-judicial function, the processing of appeals takes time and reflects the fact that, by definition, the appeal process cannot be a quick one.

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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.