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Social Welfare Appeals

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020

Wednesday, 27 May 2020

Questions (941)

Seán Fleming

Question:

941. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of cases that can be dealt with by the appeals office based on documentary evidence presented; the plans in place to deal with same urgently in view of the fact they are not expected to require further medical evidence or an oral hearing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7357/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

The number of appeals on hand in the Social Welfare Appeals Office, as of 1 May 2020, was 7,590. The corresponding figure for the end of 2019 was 8,788.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that as a result of the current Covid-19 restrictions and in order to safeguard the health and safety of both appellants and staff the Office has not held any oral appeal hearings since 16 March 2020. The Social Welfare Appeals Office sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused by these essential measures. The matter is being kept under review.

Every effort is being made to progress appeals on hand. Appeals are currently being determined on a summary basis. It may be possible for Appeals Officers to gather additional information or seek clarifications on any matter relating to an appeal (for example by telephone or email) which might otherwise have been ascertained in the course of an oral hearing.

This year has seen a significant increase in the number of appeals being finalised. 8,965 appeals were finalised in the period January-April 2020 compared to 6,788 in the corresponding period for 2019.

The average appeal processing time for the year 2019 was 23.8 weeks. There has been some improvement to date in 2020 as the average appeal processing time for the period January to April was 20.7 weeks.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 942 answered with Question No. 918.
Question No. 943 answered with Question No. 926.
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