THERE are almost 22,000 appeals currently being processed by the social welfare appeals office – a figure which is expected to reach 35,000 by the end of the year.

The volume will be a major cause for concern for the appeals office, which declared last year an “exceptionally difficult year” with 25,963 appeals registered – a 46% increase on 2008, and up from around 15,000 per annum up to and including 2007. Based on 2009 figures, the average time taking to process all appeals, including oral hearings, is almost six months.

Minister for Social Protection Éamon O Cuív maintains every effort is being made to keep abreast of the surge in activity and said the chief appeals officer was “monitoring the situation closely”.

“The growth in numbers is clearly impacting on processing times, but it must also be remembered that such processing times cover all phases of the appeal process including the submission by the department of its comments on the grounds for the appeal, further examination by the department’s medical assessors in certain illness related cases, further investigation by social welfare inspectors, where required, and circumstances may also arise where further information is sought from the appellant,” he said.

“Delays can also occur where the appellant submits new information or evidence, often at an advanced stage in the proceedings. In some cases adjournments may be sought by the appellants or their representatives.” Mr O Cuív said a number of initiatives were underway to enhance the capacity of the office to deal with the current caseload and inflows. He also conceded additional staff were required in the short term to address the backlog.

“It has been decided to use experienced retired staff strictly on a short-term basis to supplement the current resources and the services of eight retired officers have now been secured on a part-time basis,” he said.

Writing in the office’s annual report, Geraldine Gleeson, director and chief appeals officer, said the backlog and increase in the number of people lodging appeals was “the single biggest challenge” ever faced by the office.

She said additional appeals officers had been appointed in 2009 and five officers who retired were replaced.

“However, we must also create capacity by achieving a more effective throughput of appeals,” she said.

“Our objective is to achieve this in a way that does not undermine fair procedure or conflict with due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice.”

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, August 17, 2010 writer Jennifer Hough