Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

38. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the measures her Department is taking to address the delays, often months, in the individual section review process and social welfare appeals process due to delays in getting files from different social welfare departments to the appeals office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4970/15]

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

The review and appeal processes in the Department of Social Protection are, at all times, predicated on the principles of fairness and natural justice. 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.

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.

This multi-layered approach is designed to give every opportunity to the customer to present their case as fully as possible can, at times, move more slowly that the Department would wish. I can assure that Deputy that there is a continuing focus on the processes to ensure that they are completed as expeditiously as possible.

I am satisfied that the process in place give as much opportunities to customers as possible in ensuring they get their correct entitlements.