An increasing number of people are availing of their statutory right to appeal to the independent social welfare appeals office which I established at the start of the year.
I am aware of the need for additional resources for the office and have taken the necessary steps in this regard so that these arrears can be quickly eliminated and a speedy, efficient service provided for appellants.
An average of the time taken to resolve an appeal is not at present readily available. The time taken depends on a number of factors such as the nature of the appeal, whether a further medical examination is necessary, whether new evidence produced with the appeal has to be investigated, whether the appeal can be determined on a summary basis or whether an oral hearing is necessary. An average figure would not, in the circumstances, be meaningful. Procedures are being considered in the appeals office, however, to ensure that relevant information on trends will be available for the future.
I am confident that, with the measures taken to date and the additional resources I am providing to deal with the new needs identified, the independent social welfare appeals office will be in a position to provide a consistent, efficient and prompt service.
The chief appeals officer is now obliged by law to submit an annual report to me. I will have his report on the activities of the office for 1991 early next year. The activities of the social welfare appeals system will be monitored in the light of that report.
