Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2023
362. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for invalidity pension that are on appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office; the number that have been under consideration for one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten and 11 months or a year or more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52035/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The table below sets out the outstanding number of Invalidity Pension appeals as of 22 November 2023 and the length of time they have been under consideration since being registered.
The Outstanding Invalidity Pension Appeals Under Consideration as of 22 November 2023
|
Time ( Months) |
No of Appeals |
|
Less than 1 |
94 |
|
1 |
82 |
|
2 |
120 |
|
3 |
56 |
|
4 |
43 |
|
5 |
15 |
|
6 |
12 |
|
7 |
6 |
|
8 |
2 |
|
9 |
3 |
|
10 |
0 |
|
11 |
3 |
|
12 |
3 |
|
More that 12 |
3 |
Outstanding Invalidity Appeals = 442
The current average time to process ALL appeals = 15.9 weeks
The current average time to process INVP appeals = 14.2 weeks
Significant efforts and resources have been devoted to reforming the appeal process in recent years. As a result, average appeal processing times have generally improved between 2018 and 2022 from 30.0 weeks for an oral hearing in 2018 to 26.0 weeks in 2022, and from 24.8 weeks for a summary decision in 2018 to 15.0 weeks in 2022. The average times for all appeals finalised in 2022 was 14.9 weeks. Further improvements in appeals processing times are a priority for the Chief Appeals Officer.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
