Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
560. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which various decisions in respect of social welfare payments have been subsequently overturned on appeal by the applicants or her Department in the past twelve months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39318/22]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
All claim decisions taken by the Department’s Deciding Officers and Designated Persons are appealable to the Chief Appeals Officer. In any year about 85% of all claims are awarded by the Department and approximately 2% are appealed.
There are a number of reasons why a decision which was refused at first instance might be successful on appeal and it is not necessarily the case that the first decision was incorrect. It is often the case that new evidence is provided with an appeal and that, as a result, the original decision may be revised by the Deciding Officer or Designated Person.
Where the decision was not revised by the Department in light of the appeal contentions, further evidence is often provided by the person concerned as the appeal process proceeds and in addition, the Appeals Officer may gain insights at an oral hearing which may influence the outcome of the appeal.
The table below provides a breakdown of all appeals finalised in the past 12 months from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022.
Appeals Finalised from 01/07/21 to 30/06/22
|
Allowed by Appeals Officer |
Disallowed by Appeals Officer |
Partially Allowed by Appeals Officer |
Revised Decision by Deciding Officer |
Withdrawn |
|
5,946 |
9,862 |
479 |
6,518 |
922 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
