Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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43. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time for a decision on appeal for social protection payments paid on a weekly basis, in cases where there is no oral hearing and in cases where there is an oral hearing, in 2015, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45666/15]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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56. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time for a decision on appeal for all social protection payments paid on a weekly basis, where there is no oral hearing and where there is an oral hearing, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter [45933/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 56 together.

The average appeal processing times for 2014 and to date in 2015 broken down by all social welfare scheme types are outlined in the following tables.

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 25.7 weeks for an oral hearing and 18.2 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 9,057 at 14 December 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 01/01-2014-31/12/2014

Appeals processing time by scheme 01/01/2015-30/11/2015