Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 November 2011
180 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a jobseeker’s allowance appeal will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32036/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case.
There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 when the intake rose to 32,432. This has significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order. In the context of dealing with the considerable number of appeals now on hand, the Department made 9 additional appointments to the office earlier this year.
While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person's oral hearing will be heard, but s/he will be informed when arrangements have been made.
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.
181 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32044/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for domiciliary care allowance was received from the person concerned on the 15th September 2011 and was disallowed on the 11th October 2011. The person concerned requested a medical review of this decision on 27th October 2011 and submitted additional supporting information. The application has been forwarded to one of the Department's Medical Assessors for review of the original medical opinion. Upon receipt of the review report, a decision will issue to the customer.
182 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay on an appeal for domiciliary care in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [32057/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing within the next month. The person concerned will be notified of the arrangements.
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.
Questions Nos. 183 and 184 withdrawn.
185 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal against the decision to refuse an application for illness benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32072/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 4 May 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 3 October 2011 and the appeal has been assigned 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.
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.
187 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; if supplementary allowance will be paid to them as they await the outcome of the appeal. [32079/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 21 October 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred in due course to an Appeals Officer for consideration.
It is open to the person concerned to apply for supplementary welfare allowance while her appeal is pending.
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.
188 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an oral hearing for domiciliary care allowance, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32084/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case.
There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 when the intake rose to 32,432. This has significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order. In the context of dealing with the considerable number of appeals now on hand, the Department made 9 additional appointments to the office earlier this year.
While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person's oral hearing will be heard, but s/he will be informed when arrangements have been made.
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.
