Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 February 2012
125 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on the appeal against the disallowance of a claim for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [10356/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra136 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an appeal against the disallowance of a claim for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [10458/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 136 together.
The 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 and 2011 when the intake rose to 32,432 and 31,241 respectively. 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.
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.
126 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [10358/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 8th November 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. When received, the appeal in question will be referred in due course to an Appeals Officer for consideration.
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.
127 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in finalising a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo whose application has been with her for over a year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10364/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 21st July 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 6th February 2012 and the appeal was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 16th February 2012 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.
128 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal of an illness benefit application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10367/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was examined by a Medical Assessor of the Social Welfare Services who was of the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed this decision and in that context she was examined by another Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.
In the light of this, it was decided to afford the person concerned an opportunity of setting out the complete and up to date grounds of her appeal and to furnish any further medical evidence that she wished to submit in support of her appeal. She did this and, on 6th January 2012, the Social Welfare Services were requested to submit relevant documents to this office on her case. On receipt of their response her appeal will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.
129 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal of an application for rent supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10374/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 24 October 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 06th January 2012 and the appeal will, in due course, be assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration.
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.
130 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an invalidity pension appeal has not been processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the reason for the delay in processing the claim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10378/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned has not been received by that office. 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.
131 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a decision on their invalidity pension appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10396/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 23rd January 2012. In accordance with statutory requirements, the Appeals Office has contacted the person concerned requesting her to set out the complete grounds of her appeal. On receipt of a response the appeal will be processed.
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.
