Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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973. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that of the 7,410 appeals for refused disability allowance processed in 2020, 63% were either allowed, partly allowed or revised; the implications this has for the initial assessment process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14331/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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.

All decisions taken by Deciding Officers or Designated Persons of the Department of Social Protection are appealable to the Chief Appeals Officer.  About 85% of all claims are awarded and just 1% appealed annually. 

The table below provides details of the outcome of disability allowance appeals for 2020. 

The figures provided for appeals which had a favourable outcome for the appellant relate to appeals which were either allowed in full or in part by an Appeals Officer or were resolved by way of a revised decision in favour of the appellant by a Deciding Officer of the Department.  

In all cases Deciding Officers and Appeals Officers make their decisions based on the information provided to them and in accordance with the scheme’s governing legislation.  There are a number of reasons why an application for disability allowance which was refused at first instance might be successful on appeal.  All appeals are referred to the Department in the first instance so that the original decision can be reviewed.  It is often the case that new evidence is provided with the appeal request and as a result, the original decision may be revised by the Deciding Officer.  Where the decision is not revised by the Department in light of the appeal contentions, further evidence is often provided by the appellant as the appeal process proceeds which can lead to a favourable decision by the Appeals Officer.  In addition, the Appeals Officer may gain insights if an oral hearing is held with the appellant which may influence the outcome of the appeal.  Overall, it is important to highlight the value of providing all relevant information at the initial application stage as this will increase the likelihood of achieving a positive result earlier in the process.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.