Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 October 2018
90. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to appoint a second appeals officer in view of the facts as outlined in the 2017 annual report of Caranua's appeals officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42113/18]
View answerFrom the Annual Report submitted by the Appeals Officers, the Deputy will note that when I appointed two Appeals Officers in May 2017 to deal with the backlog of cases that had built up, there were 140 cases outstanding when they took up their position and they received an additional 87 appeals between May 2017 and April 2018, giving a total of 227 appeals for consideration. 193 cases were completed in the same period leaving 34 appeals on hand.
Having regard to the number of appeals for consideration currently, I do not consider that a second appeals officer is required at present. I am arranging for the situation to be kept under review and will revisit the matter if necessary.
