Dáil Question to the Minister for Social Protection

To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on the 2012 figures showing that almost 50% of applicants who were refused disability allowance were awarded the payment on appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Social Protection (Joan Burton T.D):

In 2012 a total of 26,159 disability allowance claims were decided, of these 10,400 were allowed, 14,519 were disallowed and 1,240 claims were withdrawn.

According to the Social Welfare Appeals Office a total of  4,310 disability allowance appeals were determined by appeals officers during 2012 of which  a total of 2,114 (49%) were allowed 95 (2%) were partially allowed and 2,101 (49%) were disallowed. 

The Department is satisfied that its system for the assessment of disability allowance applications is fair and robust.  That system is further reinforced by the statutory right of appeal to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.