Vol. 545 No. 3
140 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs his views on whether it is reasonable that there is a delay of over seven months dealing with social welfare appeals; when an appeal will be heard for a person (details supplied) in County Galway. [30347/01]
The person concerned claimed carer's allowance in respect of her husband who is in receipt of invalidity pension, which includes an increase in respect of her. The application was disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that her husband was not in need of full- time care and attention as required by legislation. Her appeal to the social welfare appeals office, along with subsequent medical evidence submitted, were considered by an appeals officer who decided that an oral hearing should be held. The number of appeals requiring oral hearing meant it was not possible to arrange a hearing before now. I have been advised that this hearing will be arranged when next an appeals officer is in the locality.
Under social welfare legislation, decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions. The social welfare appeals system is quasi-judicial and the procedures involved are designed to ensure that every appellant's case gets full and satisfactory consideration. There is an inevitable time lag in a process governed by statutory and fair procedure requirements. The number of appeals has increased in recent years and average processing times have been broadly maintained during the last four years. While processing times in the social welfare appeals office compare favourably with international experience in this area, the achievement of improvements in processing times is a major objective of the office and the matter is kept under review.
