Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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75. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she may continue to improve the time taken to process appeals in respect of various social protection payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25392/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The average appeal processing time for 2014 and to date in 2015 broken down by all social welfare scheme types is outlined in the following tables.

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. In 2014 the average appeal processing time reduced to 28.6 weeks for an oral hearing and 21.1 weeks for a summary decision. Processing times continue to improve in 2015 as the current average processing time for an oral hearing is now 25.6 weeks and 18 weeks for a summary decision.

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

In addition the Department has undertaken a process of reform in many of its scheme areas aimed at reducing the time taken to respond to requests for submissions in relation to appeals. Appeal processing times are kept under continual review in the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

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 9,957 at 22 June 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. 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.

Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2014 – 31/12/14

Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2015 – 31/05/2015