Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 20 September 2019. I am advised that the case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 20 February 2020.

I am further advised that Appeals Officer has been in communication with the person concerned and has been provided with some updated information in relation to the case. The person concerned anticipates having some additional documentary medical evidence in the near future and has undertaken to provide that when available. On receipt of that additional evidence the Appeals Officer will make their decision.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, as of 1 May 2020, the total number of social welfare appeals on hand was 7,590. This covers appeals at all stage of the process, including those awaiting the submission from the Department's Deciding Officer on the appeal contentions and those that have been assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration and decision. The equivalent figure at the end of 2019 was 8,788.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

The number of appeals on hand in the Social Welfare Appeals Office, as of 1 May 2020, was 7,590. The corresponding figure for the end of 2019 was 8,788.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that as a result of the current Covid-19 restrictions and in order to safeguard the health and safety of both appellants and staff the Office has not held any oral appeal hearings since 16 March 2020. The Social Welfare Appeals Office sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused by these essential measures. The matter is being kept under review.

Every effort is being made to progress appeals on hand. Appeals are currently being determined on a summary basis. It may be possible for Appeals Officers to gather additional information or seek clarifications on any matter relating to an appeal (for example by telephone or email) which might otherwise have been ascertained in the course of an oral hearing.

This year has seen a significant increase in the number of appeals being finalised. 8,965 appeals were finalised in the period January-April 2020 compared to 6,788 in the corresponding period for 2019.

The average appeal processing time for the year 2019 was 23.8 weeks. There has been some improvement to date in 2020 as the average appeal processing time for the period January to April was 20.7 weeks.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.