Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2025
532. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Social Protection the average processing times for carer's allowance claim reviews and carer's allowance claim appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35722/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe mean time taken for decision reviews of Carer's Allowance claims carried out under the appeals process for 1 January - 31 May 2025 was 6.7 weeks. This is measured from the time the appeal is registered to when the decision is made by the DSP officer. Note that this does not include decision reviews carried outside the appeals process, as statistics for these are not maintained by the DSP.
The mean time taken for appeals of Carer's Allowance claims for 1 January - 31 May 2025 was 19.3 weeks. This is measured from the time the appeal is registered with the Appeals Office to when the final decision (Revised by a DSP Officer, Allowed, Partially Allowed, or Disallowed by an Appeals Officer) is made.
When an appeal is submitted, there are two stages to the appeal. First, the appeal goes back to the scheme area in DSP where the original decision on the claim was made, for review by a DSP officer. If the DSP officer decides to revise the decision, then the appeal is granted. If the decision is not revised, then it goes to an Appeals Officer in the Appeals Office, who can then either allow, partially allow, or disallow the appeal.
