Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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910. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures that have been taken to address the long processing times for those awaiting a decision on their domiciliary care allowance or carer's allowance appeal, where applicants are being advised of a wait of six to 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29683/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Welfare Appeals is a service 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.

The Chief Appeals Officer has put in place measures to deal with the increase in appeals received during 2024. 20 additional staff were assigned and attended training during December 2024 and January 2025. They have now been appointed as Appeals Officers and are making appeal decisions. In addition, new Appeals Regulations have been signed to come into effect from the 28th of April which provide, among other things, for simpler processes and specified response times. These should further help to reduce processing times.

The average processing times as of 31st March 2025 for the schemes mentioned are as follows

Carers Allowance Appeals = 22.0 weeks

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals = 19.6 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.

I have met with the appeals team to discuss the measures to reduce appeals processing times and will continue to engage with officials on a regular basis.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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911. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) who is part of the Look Back/Maskey Report can expect to receive a decision on their appeal given they have had no income since May 2024 and are not eligible for supplementary welfare allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29764/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office is a service 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 disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on the grounds that they failed to provide sufficient information in order for their means to be determined The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision in the coming days.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.