asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state what steps he proposes to take to deal expeditiously with the large number of appeals which are at present under consideration in connection with applications for pensions under the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Acts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Acts.
Owing to the operation of the 1937 Act there has recently been an increase in the number of appeals and the majority of appeals outstanding has been received since July last. These appeals are mainly on the question of means. Appeals on questions of insurability are declining and the referees now dealing with these appeals will shortly be available to assist in determining appeals on the question of means.
Is the Minister aware that, in reply to a Parliamentary Question last week, he furnished statistical information on this matter which indicated that while appeals are increasing by the hundred, they are only being decided by tens, and in some months less than two dozen appeals were decided while the number of appeals for those months increased by 300 or 400? Will the Minister take steps to bring down the growing number of cases outstanding?
Practically all the appeals, I think, with the exception of about 100, have been received since July. They are not an unduly long time under consideration; they are being rapidly dealt with, and will be very rapidly decreased.
Are there some appeals which were pending before July?
There are about 100.
Why have they not been dealt with?
They are being dealt with as rapidly as possible.
It is a very long time from July until now.
It is not.