Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Apr 1998

Vol. 489 No. 6

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Appeals.

Michael Ring

Question:

547 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, to increase the number of staff working in the appeals section of his Department to ensure that appeals are dealt with speedily. [8806/98]

Michael Ring

Question:

548 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of people from County Mayo waiting to be called for an oral hearing to finalise their appeals; and the number of appeals outstanding. [8807/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D Ahern)

It is proposed to answer Questions Nos. 547 and 548 together.

Just over 14,000 appeals were received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 1997, an increase of over 1,800 on the 1996 figure.

To cater for the increased workload, four appeals officers were appointed during the second half of 1997, bringing the total number of appeals officers to 14. This has brought about an improvement in the processing time for appeals so far this year.

The provision of a prompt service is a major objective of the Social Welfare Appeals Office. At all times it is necessary to ensure that progress in this regard is achieved in a manner that is consistent with the demands of justice and the requirement that every appeal be fully investigated and examined on all its merits.

At present there are 5,491 appeals on which work is in progress. These include cases at all stages of the appeals process including those which have been heard and decisions about to be notified, cases under investigation in the Department following submission of the grounds of appeal, those awaiting attention by appeals officers and those awaiting further information from appellants.

There are 44 appeals from people in County Mayo now awaiting oral hearing following consideration by appeals officers who have decided that oral hearings of the appeals will be required.