Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 December 2010
272 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the ongoing delay in finalising the unemployment assistance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47741/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 22 September 2010 together with the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer and has since been referred to an Appeals Officer who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing.
There was a 46% increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2009 when compared to 2008, which in itself was 27% greater than the numbers received in 2007. There was an increase of a further 44% in the number of appeals received in the first eight months of 2010. These increases have caused delays in the processing of appeals. In order to be fair to all appellants, oral hearings are arranged in strict chronological order.
A number of initiatives have been put in place to enhance the capacity of the office to deal with the current caseload and inflows. In that regard: 3 additional Appeals Officers were assigned to the Office in 2009; a number of additional staff were assigned to the administration area of the Office; the organisation of the Appeals Officer's work has been changed so as to increase productivity; a project to improve the business processes in the office was undertaken which has resulted in a number of improvements being implemented; and significant enhancements have been made to the office's IT and phone systems.
In addition, it was decided to use experienced retired staff strictly on a short term basis to supplement the current resources and the services of eight retired officers have now been secured on a part-time basis and have been operating since July.
I am assured by the Chief Appeals Officer that she is keeping current processes under continuous review with a view to achieving a more effective throughput of appeals, while ensuring that any progress does not conflict with due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
