asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is prepared to have more frequent appeals for social welfare applicants and so obviate continuing frustrating delays in the hearing of such appeals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Appeals.
5.
I am not aware of any undue delay in the hearing of appeals. If the Deputy has information about particular cases where he believes such delay has occurred I will have them investigated if he will be good enough to let me have the details.
Could the Minister indicate what is the average delay in hearing these appeals?
I do not know what it is now but the last time I was in the Department it was about three or four weeks.
I can assure the Minister that it is a great deal more than that. Would he not look into the matter?
If the Deputy has any specific cases which are substantially longer than that——
Every case.
Certainly, there are hearings every six weeks so that the average delay would not be more than about three or four weeks.
Is that not a long time for a recipient to wait for benefit if he has nothing else to live on?
Yes, but these are all cases in which a decision has already been made that benefit is not properly payable and it would not be reasonable to expect it to be possible to have an appeal immediately. Hearings are arranged every six weeks.
Is the Minister aware that the determination of appeals depends on the number of appeals for the particular area and on nothing else?
That was the question I wanted to ask——
No.
Will the Minister answer my question?
I did not know whether the Deputy was finished or not.
I shall never be finished.
No.
Answer the question.
No. It is answered.
Let me ask it in a different way. Is it the practice to hold regular appeal sessions or to wait until there is a substantial number before an appeals officer appears in the centre?
These centres are visited on average about once every six weeks.
The Minister says "on average". Previously I think he said "at least" every six weeks. "On average" could mean 12 weeks.
No, about once every six weeks.
Would the Minister take the word of those who have asked questions here that there appears to be unreasonable delay.
Give me specific cases.
I shall collect them in the next few weeks for the Minister.