Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change)
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106. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection in the context of concerns over improper control of her Department over the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office, if there has been a change in Government policy relating to the operation of the Social Welfare Appeals Office. [15192/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) is an office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining ap peals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements and insurability of employment. The Office is independent in its decision making functions.

There has been no change in Government policy in relation to the operation of the Social Welfare Appeals Office. There has been no change in the role and functions of the Appeals Officers in the Office.

There is ongoing feedback between the SWAO and the Department on any trends in appeals decisions with a view to improving the quality of decisions made at first instance. In addition, the SWAO has implemented a quality control system to help ensure that there is a consistent approach followed by Appeals Officers in respect of their appeal decisions.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.