Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

222. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Questions Nos. 168 of 22 September 2015 and 55 of 30 September 2015, in which she states the processing time for appeals has reduced since 2011, the reason the person concerned continues to await a decision since April 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34480/15]

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

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a state pension (contributory) appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 16th April 2015 and not April 2014 as indicated by the Deputy. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 09th September 2015 and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has also advised me that overall processing times have reduced from a peak in 2011 of 52.5 weeks for an oral hearing and 25.1 weeks for a summary decision to 26 weeks and 18.2 weeks respectively. In the case of state pension (contributory) appeals processing times for an oral hearing have reduced from 55.3 weeks to 43.8 weeks for an oral hearing and has increased slightly from 24.9 weeks to 26 weeks for a summary decision.

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.