The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the average processing time in 2019 for domiciliary care allowance appeals dealt with by way of summary decision was 27.3 weeks and it was 30.3 weeks for those requiring an oral hearing. The figures for 2020 to the end of June were 24.1 weeks for appeals dealt with by way of summary decision and 31.8 weeks for those requiring an oral hearing.
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.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.