Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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93. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the current waiting times for appeals regarding payments of allowances and benefits to be processed and decided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40103/15]

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 as outlined in the tables below.

Appeal processing times generally peaked in 2011 when the overall average time for an oral hearing was 52.5 weeks and 25.1 weeks for a summary decision. In 2014 average appeal processing times for an oral hearing had almost halved to 28.6 weeks and the average time taken to process appeals involving summary decisions had also significantly reduced to 21.1 weeks. This downward trend in overall appeal processing times has continued to date in 2015 to 25.9 weeks for an oral hearing and 18.3 weeks for a summary decision. Appeal processing times are closely monitored on an ongoing basis.

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 9,454 at 9 November 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.

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.

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

Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2015 – 31/10/2015