Helen Keogh
Question:27 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Social Welfare the average period of time an appellant has to wait to have an appeal heard orally. [16772/95]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Appeals.
Theresa Ahearn
Question:28 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Social Welfare the waiting time for appeals to be processed; if he will agree that the delay in many cases is too long; the plans, if any, he has to reduce the waiting period for decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14531/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 28 together.
The average time taken to process appeals during 1994 was just under four months. Appeals involving oral hearings would tend to be above this figure whereas those where the appeal can be determined on the basis of the documentary evidence would be below the average figure. This average period includes all phases of appeals and is inflated by the additional time involved in the determination of a number of appeals where, for example, adjournments have been sought or where questions affecting the estates of deceased claimants are at issue. When the slowest 10 per cent of cases is discounted the average falls to approximately three months. A survey of appeals during the second half of 1994 found that approximately one third were disposed of within two months of being registered in the appeals office.
Appeals to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office involve cases where there is a difference between the position taken by the Department of Social Welfare and the claimant and consequently involve a degree of conflicting contentions which must be resolved. For an appeal to get the attention it merits, the grounds advanced in support of it must be investigated. This will often require a further report by an investigating officer where, for example, a person's means are at issue or, for disability benefit claimants, a further examination by a medical referee. The periods indicated above cover the time taken to deal with all phases of the appeal including additional investigations into the grounds advanced, the arrangement of oral hearings, adjournments which may be requested by the appellants or their representatives, determination by an appeals officer and notification of the outcome to appellants.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has made significant progress in the four years since its establishment in 1991. During that period over 68,000 appeals have been processed and the number of appeals on hands has decreased from 8,287 at 31 December 1991 to 3,850 at the end of 1994 and this has brought about a significant improvement in the service provided to appellants.
The provision of a prompt service is a major objective of the Social Welfare Appeals Office. This was so recognised by the chief appeals officer in his report for 1994 and this aspect of the service will continue to receive attention during 1995. The achievement of further improvements in response times by reducing the time taken to process appeals has been given a high priority. It is important to ensure that progress in this area is achieved in a manner which is consistent with the demands of justice and the requirement that every appeal be fully investigated and examined on all its merits.