Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
755. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal emailed to the welfare appeals office on 17 September 2023 (details supplied) will be registered; if the backlog in registering appeals will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48233/23]
View answerThe 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.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 02nd November 2023. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
Improvements in appeals processing times are a priority for the Chief Appeals Officer. An Appeals Modernisation Project is in progress to develop and implement a new appeals business process, including a new IT system.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
