Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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739. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if additional resources will be provided to reduce the three-month delay in sending carer's allowance appeals to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6954/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Where a person is unhappy with the decision of one of the Department's Deciding Officers, they can appeal that decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).

As part of the appeal process all evidence submitted is reviewed by a different Deciding Officer to see if a revised decision is warranted. This can take some time in the case of carer's allowance (CA) applications, primarily due to the nature of the CA scheme but also in cases where additional medical evidence has been submitted in support of the appeal. In 2018, 440 cases were reviewed by a Deciding Officer in the appellant's favour, which meant that a full appeal was not required.

Where the original decision is confirmed, a submission is prepared to explain the Deciding Officer's decisions and this submission is forwarded to the SWAO.

At all times every effort is made to complete reviews and ensure, where necessary, that appeals proceed as quickly as possible.

Anyone experiencing financial difficulties while awaiting a decision on a review or an appeal of any social welfare payment should contact their local Intreo Centre and enquire as to their entitlement to a payment under the Department's Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.