Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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588. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason jobseeker’s benefit appeals are taking so long and to examine the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34238/25]

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 allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision in the coming days.

The Chief Appeals Officer apologises and regrets the delays experienced by this customer. I can assure the Deputy that the Chief Appeals Officer is taking all additional measures to reduce the time taken to process all appeals. 20 additional staff have now been appointed as Appeals Officers and are making appeal decisions. In addition, new Appeals Regulations have 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.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.