Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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617. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for an update on an appeal lodged with regard to invalidity pension (details supplied); the current average waiting time for a decision on an appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25874/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.

The average waiting times for all appeals for the 1st quarter of 2025 is 20.9 weeks. The time taken to process appeals reflects the need to consider each decision in detail and, in many cases, to examine additional information submitted at appeal stage, including in some cases requesting further information either via correspondence or via oral hearing. The Chief Appeals Officer continues to monitor processing times and every effort is made to reduce the time taken to process an appeal. However, the drive for efficiency must be balanced with the competing demand to ensure that decisions are consistent and made in accordance with the provisions set out in primary legislation and regulations.

The Chief Appeals Officer has put in place measures to deal with the increase in appeals registered during 2024. 20 additional staff have been assigned, trained and are now making appeal decisions.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.