Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:80 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Welfare the proposals, if any, he has to expedite the process of appeals through his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Appeals.
The time taken by the independent social welfare appeals office to determine an appeal depends on a number of factors such as the nature of the appeal, whether new evidence produced with an appeal has to be investigated, whether an appeal can be determined on a summary basis or whether an oral hearing is necessary. The chief appeals officer gives constant attention to the efficiency of the system and particularly to consideration of how the process can be expedited.
The continuing high number of people who are availing of their statutory right of appeal has resulted in some delays in processing appeals. I am confident that a newly completed computerisation programme at the appeals office will help to expedite the process.
Examination of appeals files suggests that a proportion of appeals result from a lack of awareness of the statutory conditions. A new unit has recently been established in the Department to review the entire decision process, including the manner in which decisions are conveyed. I am confident that this unit will do much to help reduce the incidence of appeals and this, in turn, will result in speedier processing of cases through the appeals system.