Gerry O'Sullivan
Question:124 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the length of time it is taking for appeals to be carried out in the Cork area.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Appeals.
It is understood that this question relates to appeals made by unemployment assistance claimants in the Cork area.
The time involved in carrying out an appeal in any case varies depending on a number of factors, including the nature of the appeal and whether the appeal can be dealt with summarily or whether an oral hearing is necessary. In some cases the file has been referred to the social welfare officer for further inquiries in connection with the contentions made by the appellant. The schedules are also affected by the volume of appeals cases on hands at the time.
In general, the average time taken to carry out appeals, in the Cork area and elsewhere, is regarded as reasonable. In recent months, however, there has been an increase in the volume of appeals on hands requiring an oral hearing. This has resulted in some lengthening of the normal throughput time. In the light of this situation, two additional appeals officers have just been appointed on a temporary basis to ensure that appeals cases on hands are dealt with promptly.