Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2025
587. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline the number of oral hearings held by the Social Welfare Appeals Office in each of the years 2015 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37528/25]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is a service 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.
When a case is assigned to an Appeals Officer, he or she will examine the documentary evidence presented and consider if the appeal can be properly and fairly decided on a summary basis. Where an oral hearing of the case is required, the appellant is generally given 2-3 weeks’ advance notice. At any time during this process, up to and including the oral hearing of the appeal, an appellant can submit additional information, which affords them the opportunity to strengthen their case. Oral hearings can be held virtually, in person or by phone.
The number of Oral Hearings held by the Social Welfare Appeals Office for each year from 2015 to 2024 are outlined in the following table.
|
Year |
Oral Hearing |
|
2015 |
6,886 |
|
2016 |
6,527 |
|
2017 |
5,412 |
|
2018 |
5,397 |
|
2019 |
5,829 |
|
2020 |
1,712 |
|
2021 |
1,050 |
|
2022 |
835 |
|
2023 |
654 |
|
2024 |
432 |
There have been significant changes and technological advances across the Department and in the Appeals system over the period covered. This has allowed the Appeals Officer to adapt the manner in which appeals are finalised. Appellants now have the ability to easily transmit additional documentation and evidence to the Scheme Area or Appeals Office through the MyWelfare platform. This can mean that evidence that previously would not have been available to the Appeals Officer until an oral hearing can be provided earlier in the process and result in an Appeals Officer being able to decide a higher number of cases on a summary basis. The increasing ease with which an appellant can make contact and provide evidence prior to appeal has reduce the prevalence of “unresolved conflicts” and therefore allow for the increasing number of summary decisions.
There has also been an increase in the number of revised decisions made across Scheme Areas in the Department. These revised decisions mean that the appeal is finalised favourably for the appellant without the appeal having to be examined by an Appeals Officer. There is therefore no need for an oral hearing.
Under the Social Welfare Appeals Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 744 of 2024) which were signed into law in December 2024 and came into effect from Monday, 28 April 2025 there is now a legal entitlement to request an oral hearing. While the Appeals Officer retains discretion on whether to hold a hearing, a refusal must now be accompanied by reasons, ensuring greater transparency.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
