Half of appeals against social welfare decisions successful
Revealed in the annual report of the Social Welfare Appeals Office, Fine Gael’s social and family affairs spokeswoman Olwyn Enright claimed the figures highlight a deliberate policy within Mary Hanafin’s department to refuse people benefits in order to limit the numbers who can claim.
Brian Flynn, director and chief appeals officer said, however, that the figures came at a time when the department had been “blown away” by the huge increase in social welfare claims experienced in 2008.
“Last year, we received 17,833 appeals which is an increase of almost 27% on 2007 and represents the highest number of appeals received in a year since 1993. As one would expect, appeals dealing with unemployment issues increased by 110% in the year.”
Mr Flynn said, notwithstanding the increase in appeals, the office had finalised a “very creditable” 15,724 appeals last year, a 14% increase on 2007. He said their work was expected to get a “lot more difficult” before it gets better.
According to the report, 48% of those who appealed had a favourable outcome, compared to 47% in 2007, while some 39% had an unfavourable outcome compared to 41% in 2007.
More than half of appeals for refusal to get carer’s allowance, 52%, were upheld.
“There is no way that the minister can justify standing over a system where over half of the appeals for refusal to get carer’s allowance (52%) are upheld, there is a six month wait for appeals to be processed and there has been a 25% increase in the number of appeals in one year,” Ms Enright said.
“It is absolutely unacceptable that people are refused their entitlement as a cost saving measure and are then expected to wait months to establish their claim. Also, it seems that the six month processing time is a deliberate ploy to dissuade people from appealing. Denying people who are entitled to their benefits their assistance will not dig Ireland out of the hole in which Fianna Fáil has dropped us.”
Ms Hanafin said the office provided an independent review mechanism for those dissatisfied with the outcome of their claim. “While every effort is made by the department to deal sensitively with all cases and decide entitlements in line with the relevant legislation, it is understandable that not everybody will agree with those decisions. The number of people who lodge appeals to the social welfare appeals office reflects to a very large degree the number of people claiming benefits.”
