Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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9. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on the timeframe for processing appeals relating to family income supplement and one-parent family payments; the options or bridging payments that will be available to those who find themselves in a situation where they are awaiting an appeal when their payment is stopped; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17278/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The annual report of the Social Welfare Appeals Office was published last month and shows that the total number of appeals on hands for all schemes at the end of 2014 continued to fall to just over 9,600 or a reduction of 35% year on year.

I am advised by the Appeals Office that the current average time taken to decide family income supplement appeals decided on a summary basis is 20.7 weeks and 25.5 weeks for oral hearing, down from peaks of 30.7 weeks and 41 weeks, respectively, in 2013.

The corresponding current average processing times for one parent family appeals is 27 weeks and 38.5 weeks respectively, down, in the case of oral appeals, from 57.5 weeks in 2011.

Processing times are calculated from the appeal registration date to the date of finalisation. This includes time spent awaiting clarification from the appellant and time in the Department for review and preparation of its appeal submission. The system is flexible and accessible and allows multiple reviews and submissions of fresh evidence at all stages.For logistical reasons the process takes longer when an oral hearing is required.

Significant effort and resources have been devoted to reforming the appeals process to manage the significant increase in its workload since 2009, while, at the same time, ensuring that quality and fairness are not compromised. In addition to the introduction of a new operating model, the appeals officer cadre increased to 41 officers in the last four years.

Any person whose means are insufficient to meet their needs while awaiting an appeal decision may apply for supplementary welfare allowance. This means-tested payment is the “safety net” within the welfare system providing assistance to eligible people in the State. The main purpose of the scheme is to provide immediate and flexible assistance to persons in need who do not qualify for social welfare payments under any other scheme.