Robert Troy
Question:775. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the current average processing time for appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36982/23]
View answerTuesday, 25 July 2023
Questions (775)
Written answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision-making functions.
Claim decisions taken by the Department’s Deciding Officers and Designated Persons are appealable to the Chief Appeals Officer. In any year approximately 85% of all claims are awarded by the Department and approximately 1% are appealed. Appeals are dealt with as expeditiously as possible, however the desire to process appeals quickly has to be balanced with the competing demand to ensure that decisions are consistent, of high quality, and made in accordance with the legislative provisions and the general principles of fair procedures and natural justice.
The current average processing times for an appeal with the Social Welfare Appeals Office are 17.9 weeks for a summary decision and 31.0 weeks for a decision by way of oral hearing. These figures are based on appeals finalised from January to June 2023. There is proactive engagement between the Social Welfare Appeals Office and the Department to ensure that the appeals process operates efficiently and that where a Deciding Officer's decision is not revised in favour of the appellant that the appeal file papers are provided as quickly as possible for consideration.
Further improvements in appeals processing times are a priority for the Chief Appeals Officer.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.