Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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241. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time for a decision on an 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 2017; the number of persons awaiting a decision in each instance, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16960/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The average appeal processing times to date in 2017 for social protection payments which are paid on a weekly basis, broken down by oral hearing and summary decision, are set out in the following table. In addition, a table showing the number of appeals relating to those schemes which are currently on hand is also provided.

Appeal processing times are kept under constant scrutiny by the Chief Appeals Officer and significant effort and resources have been devoted in recent years to reducing the length of time taken to finalise an appeal. This has resulted in a marked improvement in processing times.

The overall average processing time, across all schemes, for appeals requiring an oral hearing reduced from 52.5 weeks in 2011 to 25.5 weeks in 2015, 24.1 weeks in 2016 and 24.5 weeks to date in 2017. The overall average time taken to finalise appeals decided by way of a summary decision has also improved in recent years from a peak of 25.1 weeks in 2011 to 18.1 weeks in 2015, 17.6 weeks in 2016 and 18.3 weeks to date in 2017.

The quasi-judicial nature of the appeals system means that there are inevitable time-lags involved. However the system is designed to be flexible and fair and allows for review and submission of further information at all stages. The time taken is proportionate to the complexity of many of the issues under appeal which require a high level of judgment, and the need to ensure due process and natural justice.

The Chief Appeals Officer has advised me that appeal processing times will continue to be a priority for her office.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Appeal processing times for Social Protection payments paid on a weekly basis

1 January 2017- 31 March 2017

Appeals on hand for Social Protection payments paid on a weekly basis

1 January 2017- 31 March 2017