Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 July 2012
382 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the date on which a decision will be made on the oral hearing of a domiciliary care allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan; when notification of same will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32407/12]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence, including that adduced at oral hearing, allowed the appeal of the person concerned who has been notified of the decision. 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.
383 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the average and longest length of waiting times for domiciliary care allowance appeals, from the time of oral hearing to the notification of decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32408/12]
View answerOn the basis of figures for the first half of 2012, the overall average times taken to process domiciliary care allowance appeals decided by summary decision was 29 weeks and 42 weeks for those requiring an oral hearing. These processing times are calculated from the registration date of the appeal to the date of its finalisation including, in cases requiring an oral hearing, the time between the date of the hearing and the time taken to issue the decision. This period usually comprises a period for reflection by the Appeals Officer on all of the evidence presented, both documentary and adduced at the oral hearing. Statistics on the average and longest length of waiting times for domiciliary care allowance appeals in regard to this period is not maintained. However, unless there are issues to be addressed and clarified which further delay the process, decisions, in general, are usually issued within about 4 weeks of the hearing.
