An increase of 32,000 people going onto disability allowance over the past five years has been described as “very disturbing” by the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI), which also says the high number of applications rejected is “very disheartening”.

Figures show that two-thirds of applications for Disability Allowance that were initially rejected were later granted on appeal.

A majority of people last year who appealed decisions that had refuse or part-granted them social welfare payments received a favourable outcome.

Almost half of all applications for disability allowance last year were turned down, according to new figures.

A mother of two has launched a High Court challenge against what she claims is an unlawful demand by the Minister for Social Protection for repayment of money allegedly overpaid to her.

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton has admitted that appeals against welfare decisions have increased "dramatically" as opposition TDs blamed government cuts for the rise.

Disability campaigners have expressed concern at the “culture of refusal” in the Department of Social Protection, citing the high rate of applications for disability allowance that are turned down.

More families are bringing court challenges against the Department of Social Protection over its refusal to grant them Domiciliary Care Allowance, and in many cases are bypassing the department’s appeals system altogether.

Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly claimed Taoiseach Enda Kenny may one day have to issue an apology to asylum seekers along the lines of the one he offered to survivors of Magdalene laundries.

More than half of all applicants for the disability allowance were not granted the payment last year, while figures show 340 people had the payment withdrawn after a medical check.

More than 2,250 people have been left waiting longer than a year to have their appeals for social welfare benefits processed.

People appealing the loss of social welfare payments can be waiting over nine months for a decision on their case.

I WRITE with reference to your excellent coverage of the hardship being endured by returning Irish immigrants applying for social welfare (July 29), many of whom are falling foul of the habitual residence condition” (HRC).

ALMOST half of people who appealed a social welfare payment decision last year were successful, according to the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

THE chief social welfare appeals officer has criticised deteriorating standards among staff deciding who is entitled to payments.

PERSONS who are denied social welfare payments and appeal the decision must wait up to five months to have their cases reassessed.

Almost half of all social welfare payment decisions in 2005 were not upheld after appeals, figures showed today.

THE excellent report by Conor Ryan (Irish Examiner, June 26) about the Department of Social and Family Affairs clawing back assets saved by elderly pensioners from their non-contributory pensions is further evidence of the non-caring attitude of Minister Seamus Brennan and this Government towards the welfare of the elderly.

The number of people appealing social welfare decisions was down by 10% last year compared to 2003, according to the annual report of the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

More than 15,000 people lodged appeals against decisions governing their social welfare entitlements last year, according to the Social Welfare Appeals Office’s annual report for 2003.

ALMOST half of all appeals against social welfare decisions were successful last year.