asked the Minister for Social Welfare is she is aware of the hardship created for small farmers particularly following the difficulties of the recent winter in waiting on appeals for increases in small farmers unemployment assistance; the plans she has to expedite such appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Smallholder Appeals.
22.
There has been a significant reduction in the time taken to deal with smallholder appeals since the appointment of additional appeals officers to deal with these cases and every effort is made to process appeals as quickly as possible within the constraints of the staffing and other resources available.
Delays in processing appeals can, however, occur where further investigation of means by a social welfare officer is required in connection with an oral hearing of an appeal. Where a case is straightforward and all inquiries have been completed or where it is possible to decide a case summarily, a much shorter timescale is involved.