Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2012
361. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection the waiting times for carer’s allowance appeals to be processed; the position regarding carer's allowance appeals in respect of persons (details supplied) in South Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52278/12]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeals, by the persons concerned, were registered in that office on 10th July 2012 and 10th September 2012 respectively. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the cases will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeals based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The average waiting time for carer’s allowance appeals is 32.7 weeks for summary decisions and 43.3 weeks for oral hearings.
These processing times are calculated from the registration date of the appeal to the date of its finalisation. They include all activities during this period including time spent in the Department for comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal put forward by the appellant, and any further investigation, examination or assessment by the Department’s Inspectors and Medical Assessors that is deemed necessary.
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.
