Social Welfare Appeals Data

Thursday, 16 January 2014

Questions (150)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

150. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of social welfare appeals taken by young persons under 25 years who have had their claim for jobseeker's benefit or jobseeker's allowance refused in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; the number of appeals for each year which have been successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1885/14]

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Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that as appeal statistics are not maintained on the basis of age, it is not in a position to supply the information sought by the Deputy in relation to persons under 25 years. Outcomes of all jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker's allowance appeals from 2009 to 2013 are contained in the following tables.

A total of 1,353 jobseeker's benefit appeals were processed during 2012. 585 (43.24%) of these appeals had a successful outcome for the appellant. 365 (62.39%) of the successful appeals were in fact revised decisions made by statutorily appointed deciding officers of the Department who reviewed the claim following the initial disallowance. A total of 1,010 jobseeker's benefit appeals were processed during 2013. 40% of these (404) had a successful outcome for the appellant. 203 (50.25%) of the successful appeals were in fact revised decisions made by statutorily appointed deciding officers of my Department who reviewed the claim following the initial disallowance.

A total of 3,301 jobseeker's allowance (payments) appeals were processed during 2012. 1,688 (51.14%) of these appeals had a successful outcome for the appellant. 725 (42.95%) of the successful appeals were in fact revised decisions made by statutorily appointed deciding officers of my Department who reviewed the claim following the initial disallowance. A total of 2,711 jobseeker's allowance (payments) appeals were processed during 2013. 41.72% of these (1,131) had a successful outcome for the appellant. 387 (34.22%) of the successful appeals were in fact revised decisions made by statutorily appointed deciding officers of my Department who reviewed the claim following the initial disallowance.

A total of 3,584 jobseeker's allowance (means) appeals were processed during 2012. 1,465 (40.88%) of these appeals had a successful outcome for the appellant. 896 (61.16%) of the successful appeals were in fact revised decisions made by statutorily appointed deciding officers of my Department who reviewed the claim following the initial disallowance. A total of 2,992 jobseeker's allowance (means) appeals were processed during 2013. 33.02% of these (988) had a successful outcome for the appellant. 414 (41.9%) of the successful appeals were in fact revised decisions made by statutorily appointed deciding officers of my Department who reviewed the claim following the initial disallowance. These revised decisions arose as a result, in many cases, of new facts or fresh evidence produced by the claimant after the original decision on his /her claim. In such cases an Appeals Officer decision was not necessary.

Outcome of Jobseeker's Benefit Appeals

-	Revised DO Decision	Decided by Appeals Officers Allowed	Decided by Appeals Officers Partly Allowed	Decided by Appeals Officers Disallowed	Withdrawn	Total
2009	289	169	34	521	97	1,110
2010	268	135	25	698	82	1,208
2011	224	180	44	898	130	1,476
2012	365	183	37	669	99	1,353
2013	203	160	41	516	90	1,010

Outcome of Jobseeker's Allowance (Payments) Appeals

-	Revised DO Decision	Decided by Appeals Officers Allowed	Decided by Appeals Officers Partly Allowed	Decided by Appeals Officers Disallowed	Withdrawn	Total
2009	277	326	39	1,114	93	1,849
2010	641	478	56	2,947	161	4,283
2011	526	1,459	231	2,737	264	5,217
2012	725	810	153	1,384	229	3,301
2013	387	626	118	1,385	195	2,711

Outcome of Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) Appeals

-	Revised DO Decision	Decided by Appeals Officers Allowed	Decided by Appeals Officers Partly Allowed	Decided by Appeals Officers Disallowed	Withdrawn	Total
2009	479	454	191	958	139	2,221
2010	618	377	243	2,328	257	3,823
2011	515	361	266	2,605	348	4,095
2012	896	395	174	1,843	276	3,584
2013	414	425	149	1,728	276	2,992