asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of unemployment assistance, unemployment benefit and disability benefit appeals at present under consideration by her Department; and if she will make a statement indicating the steps she proposes to take to deal with the arrears within a reasonable period.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Appeals.
19.
The numbers of appeal cases under consideration at my Department for unemployment assistance, unemployment benefit and disability benefit are 82, 282 and 295 respectively. These numbers are based on the position at 31 December 1985 which is the latest date for which figures are available. In addition there were 390 cases in which applicants appealed against the amount of means assessed against them for unemployment assistance purposes.
Following the appointment of two additional appeals officers in 1984 and the assignment of a number of temporary appeals officers in mid-1985 progress is being achieved in clearing the backlog of cases. In the past 12 months arrears of appeal cases for unemployment assistance, unemployment benefit, disability benefit and means assessments for unemployment assistance have been reduced by some 38 per cent and it is expected that this rate of reduction will be maintained.