Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 September 2024
296. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which oral hearings in respect of appeals against disallowance for various payments are taking place; the number of oral hearing appeals that took place to date in 2024; how this compares with the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37948/24]
View answerThe 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 Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that there have been 353 oral hearings held in 2024 up to 31st August. The total number of oral hearings for each of the past five years are set out in the table below:
|
Total number of Oral Hearings 2019 to 2023 |
|
|
Year |
Total |
|
2019 |
5,829 |
|
2020 |
1,712 |
|
2021 |
1,050 |
|
2022 |
835 |
|
2023 |
654 |
