Edward Nealon
Question:62 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of women in County Sligo who are in receipt of contributory widows pension.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
Edward Nealon
Question:63 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of women in County Leitrim who are in receipt of contributory widows pension.
Edward Nealon
Question:64 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of people in County Sligo who are in receipt of contributory old age pension.
Edward Nealon
Question:65 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of people in County Leitrim who are in receipt of contributory old age pension.
It is proposed to take Question Nos. 62 to 65, inclusive, together.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table as follows:
|
County Leitrim |
County Sligo |
|
|
Numbers in Receipt |
||
|
Old Age Contributory Pension |
465 |
802 |
|
Widows Contributory Pension |
750 |
1,242 |
Richard Bruton
Question:66 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of appeals of decisions under the supplementary welfare system which have been lodged during the past 12 months in each of the health board areas; the average length of time it takes to determine an appeal; and whether he has satisfied himself with the speed of decision-making in each of the health boards.
An applicant who is dissatisfied with a decision of the health board in relation to an application for Supplementary Welfare Allowance may appeal the decision to the Board's Appeals Officer. The total number of appeals received in 1993 was 5,188, including appeals under the National Fuel Scheme. The breakdown of the appeals received on a health board basis for 1993 is shown in the tabular statement below.
|
Health Board |
Number of Appeals received |
|
Eastern |
2,646 |
|
Midland |
180 |
|
Mid-Western |
312 |
|
North-Eastern |
29 |
|
North-Western |
276 |
|
Southern |
1,256 |
|
South-Eastern |
283 |
|
Western |
207 |
|
Grand Total |
5,188 |
The length of time taken to determine an appeal varies and depends on the volume of appeals in a particular health board at any time. The question of standardising practices in relation to appeals is one of the matters being discussed by the advisory group on the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme which I have established with representatives from all health boards.
In particular, the group are looking at the introduction of improvements in the present appeals arrangements, by ensuring better quality information for clients on their rights to appeal, by standardising application forms and procedures and explaining more fully the basis of decisions to clients. The length of time for dealing with appeals is also being considered in this context.
On completion of the review it is my intention that guidelines will be issued to all health boards with a view to ensuring assistance and equity in the appeals process across all boards.