Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 4

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Appeals.

Michael Ring

Question:

196 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of claims for benefit currently under appeal in his Department, listing out the appeal number by benefit type and giving figures nationally and specifically for County Mayo; and the number of these cases which are listed for oral hearing. [18921/00]

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

The number of appeals on which work was in progress on 31 May 2000, the latest date for which figures are available, is 6,910.

A breakdown of this figure by appeal type is set out as follows: carers allowance 578; disability benefit 1499; disability allowance 841; invalidity pensions 259; one parent families 431; farm assist 273; old age/retirement pensions 283; occupational injuries 500; unemployment assistance, means, 616; unemployment assistance, payments, 668; unemployment benefit 614; supplementary welfare allowances 46; insurability of employment 97; other 205.

The numbers shown include appeals at all phases of processing including cases where further investigations are ongoing in the light of the grounds advanced in the appeal, cases listed for oral hearings and cases where further evidence is awaited by or on behalf of appellants.

Corresponding figures for County Mayo are not available.

A significant number of these cases may be capable of being dealt with on the basis of the information supplied by the appellant or that emerging from further investigation.

In 942 appeals currently on hands it has been decided that an oral hearing will be required. Of these 63 are in Mayo.