Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 April 2012
568 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a decision on an appeal for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and when the person concerned may expect a decision to issue. [18453/12]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case. There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 and 2011 when the intake rose to 32,432 and 31,241 respectively. This has significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order.
While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person's oral hearing will be heard, but s/he will be informed when arrangements have been made.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
569 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection to expedite an appeal against a decision not to award domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; if she will grant an early oral hearing; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18456/12]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence allowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer decision on 5th April 2012.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
570 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal against a decision not to award disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; if she will grant an early oral hearing; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18485/12]
View answerThe person concerned was refused disability allowance on 8 December 2011 on the grounds that her weekly means exceeded the statutory limit allowable for disability allowance purposes. The person subsequently appealed this decision and the Social Welfare Appeals Office requested the deciding officer's observations on the grounds of the appeal. The deciding officer has now sent a submission to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for their deliberations. An Appeals Officer will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing. The appellant can request an oral hearing in her case by contacting the Social Welfare Appeals Office directly.
