Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2026
505. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection to comment on the number of carer's allowance applications that have been rejected from 2023; the number of appeals that were successful; and to outline the appeals process. [68345/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra506. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection to comment on the number of disability allowance applications that have been rejected from 2023; the number of appeals that were successful; and to outline the appeal process. [68346/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 505 and 506 together.
Carer’s Allowance is a payment for people on low incomes who are caring for a person who needs full-time care and attention because of age, disability, or illness. Disability Allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people with a disability; it is available from 16 years of age.
Statistics
The number of refusal decisions and successful appeals for the two schemes is shown in the below table.
|
- |
Nr refusal decisions 2025 |
Nr refusal decisions to August 2026 |
Nr. successful appeals 2025 |
Nr. successful appeals to August 2026 |
|
Carer’s Allowance |
10,916 |
8,506
|
2,298
|
1,405 |
|
Disability Allowance |
19,058 |
11,990
|
5,767
|
3,154 |
It should be noted that appeals may arise for reasons other than the refusal of a claim, including decisions relating to the rate of payment awarded following a means assessment or the backdating of a claim. Consequently, not all appeals recorded relate to an initial refusal decision. Separate statistics on appeals by reason are not available. Furthermore, figures may include appeals relating to decisions made in earlier years.
Information on the number of refusals in previous years is available in the Department's Annual Statistical Reports. Information on successful and unsuccessful appeals is available in the published Annual Reports of the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
Appeals process
An appellant who is dissatisfied with a decision of a Deciding Officer or Designated Person in the Department of Social Protection may submit an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. Appeals should normally be lodged within 60 days of the decision letter.
Once received, the appeal is registered, and an acknowledgement is issued to the appellant. The Social Welfare Appeals Office notifies the relevant scheme area in the Department of Social Protection that an appeal has been received. The scheme area is required to:
• Review the original decision.
• Consider any new evidence submitted.
• Prepare a submission explaining the basis for the decision.
• Undertake any further investigations if necessary
Before the appeal is assigned to an Appeals Officer, the original decision maker may revise the decision if new evidence or facts support a more favorable outcome for the appellant. If a fully favorable revised decision is issued, the appeal is effectively resolved and withdrawn.
Where the matter is not resolved by revision, the appeal is assigned to an Appeals Officer. Appeals Officers are independent in the exercise of their statutory decision-making functions. The Appeals Officer reviews all information available related to the appeal, and if he or she believes there is enough information in the documents provided, they can make a decision on the appeal. If they believe more information is needed to decide the case he or he may arrange for an oral hearing.
The Appeals Officer issues a written decision which may:
• Allow the appeal.
• Partially allow the appeal.
• Disallow the appeal.
The decision includes the reasons for the determination and is issued to both the appellant and the relevant scheme area.
