{"id":713,"date":"2019-01-29T16:56:43","date_gmt":"2019-01-29T16:56:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.socialdemocrats.ie\/roisin-shortall-brands-social-welfare-claim-assessment-a-shambles\/"},"modified":"2024-01-26T11:15:30","modified_gmt":"2024-01-26T11:15:30","slug":"roisin-shortall-brands-social-welfare-claim-assessment-a-shambles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.socialdemocrats.ie\/ga\/roisin-shortall-brands-social-welfare-claim-assessment-a-shambles\/","title":{"rendered":"R\u00f3is\u00edn Shortall brands Social Welfare claim assessment ‘a shambles’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Social Democrats co-leader R\u00f3is\u00edn Shortall TD today branded the Social Welfare claim assessment process as a \u201cshambles\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe numbers speak for themselves, there is something very wrong with a system where so many cases are refused on application, then approved on appeal.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Social Democrats co-leader R\u00f3is\u00edn Shortall TD today branded the Social Welfare claim assessment process as a \u201cshambles\u201d.<\/p>\n

Deputy Shortall was reacting to figures released to her by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection giving details of applications that were overturned on appeal.<\/p>\n

Deputy Shortall said: \u201cThe numbers speak for themselves, there is something very wrong with a system where so many cases are refused on application, then approved on appeal. The payments that have the highest number of decisions being overturned on appeal are for payments for people with disabilities or those caring for them. For example, over 60% of cases where a person appeals a decision to refuse Disability Allowance are overturned. There is clearly a massive problem with how the initial applications are assessed if the successful appeal rate is this high.\u201d<\/p>\n

Deputy Shortall went on to highlight a number of other standout figures from the data.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver 40% of Domiciliary Care Allowance and Invalidity Pension appeals are upheld, upwards of 35% of Disablement Benefit appeals are successful. The Minister needs to initiate a serious review of how applications for these payments are processed, there is clearly a problem when so many vulnerable people are allowed to slip through the net like this,” she added.<\/p>\n

Deputy Shortall urged anyone who was unhappy with a decision on an application for a payment such as this to make an appeal, particularly in light of the fact that the success rate of appeals is climbing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am very concerned that many of the initial refusals that have large numbers of successful appeals are ones for which medical evidence is required. In 2017 the success rate of appeals for Disability Allowance was 60%, in 2018 it was 62%. 43% of Domiciliary Care Allowance applications were found to be incorrectly refused in the first instance in 2018, this is up from 37% in 2017.<\/p>\n

“The success rate of appeal of Invalidity Pension decisions jumped from 27% in 2017 to almost 42% in 2018. There is something very wrong with the decision making systems that allow this to happen and it is causing needless concern for applicants and more work and administrative costs for the Appeals Office. There is an obvious need for better expertise in the Department where the decisions are first examined so that time and resources are not wasted on appeals that shouldn\u2019t be necessary.\u00a0 \u201d<\/p>\n

ENDS<\/p>\n

29th January 2019<\/p>\n

Appendix:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Figures provided to Deputy Shortall in response to PQ 1535\/19<\/p>\n

Outcome of Appeals by Category 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nAllowed
\nBy Appeals Officers<\/strong><\/td>\n		Partially Allowed By Appeals Officers<\/strong><\/td>\nRevised DO\/DP Decision<\/strong><\/td>\nDisallowed By
\nAppeals Officers<\/strong><\/td>\n		Withdrawn<\/strong><\/td>\nTotal<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
State Pension \u00a0 (Non-Contributory)<\/td>\n75
\n21.9%<\/em><\/td>\n		34
\n9.9%<\/em><\/td>\n		78
\n22.7%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0128
\n37.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 \u00a028
\n8.2%<\/em><\/td>\n		343<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
State Pension (Contributory)<\/td>\n35
\n9.9%<\/em><\/td>\n		12
\n3.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		76
\n21.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0218
\n61.6%<\/em><\/td>\n		13
\n3.7%<\/em><\/td>\n		354<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
State Pension (Transition)<\/td>\n1
\n33.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n\u00a02
\n66.7%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n\u00a03<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Widow\u2019s\/Widower\u2019s Pension \u00a0 (Contributory)<\/td>\n8
\n25.8%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n7
\n22.6%<\/em><\/td>\n		15
\n\u00a048.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		1
\n3.2%<\/em><\/td>\n		31<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Death Benefit<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n1
\n100.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bereavement Grant<\/td>\n1
\n100.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n\u00a0–<\/td>\n\u00a0–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n\u00a01<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jobseeker\u2019s Allowance – \u00a0 Payments<\/td>\n349
\n22.2%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a066
\n4.2%<\/em><\/td>\n		309
\n19.6%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 665
\n42.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		184
\n\u00a011.7%<\/em><\/td>\n		1,573<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jobseeker\u2019s Transitional<\/td>\n\u00a010
\n27.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 4
\n10.8%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 10
\n27.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 \u00a06
\n16.2%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 7
\n18.9%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 \u00a037<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jobseeker\u2019s Allowance -Means<\/td>\n187
\n12.9%<\/em><\/td>\n		82
\n5.6%<\/em><\/td>\n		264
\n18.2%<\/em><\/td>\n		708
\n48.7%<\/em><\/td>\n		212
\n\u00a014.6%<\/em><\/td>\n		1,453<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
One Parent Family Payment<\/td>\n\u00a067
\n26.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		19
\n7.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a054
\n21.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		67
\n26.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a050
\n19.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		257<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Widow\u2019s\/Widower\u2019s Pension \u00a0 (Non-Contributory)<\/td>\n7
\n30.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		4
\n\u00a017.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		3
\n13.0%<\/td>\n		9
\n39.1%<\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Supplementary Welfare \u00a0 Allowance<\/td>\n304
\n22.5%<\/td>\n		\u00a034
\n2.5%<\/td>\n		229
\n17.0%<\/td>\n		\u00a0 602
\n44.6%<\/td>\n		180
\n13.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		1,349<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Farm Assist<\/td>\n22
\n15.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		18
\n12.7%<\/em><\/td>\n		28
\n19.7%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a060
\n42.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		14
\n\u00a09.9%<\/em><\/td>\n		142<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pre-Retirement Allowance<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n1
\n100.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jobseeker\u2019s Benefit<\/td>\n83
\n17.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		21
\n4.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		117
\n24.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		206
\n43.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		52
\n10.9%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 479<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Deserted Wife\u2019s Benefit<\/td>\n2
\n40.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		1
\n\u00a020.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n\u00a02
\n40.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maternity Benefit<\/td>\n10
\n14.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		3
\n4.2%<\/em><\/td>\n		8
\n11.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		49
\n69.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		1
\n1.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		71<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Paternity Benefit<\/td>\n1
\n12.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n3
\n37.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		3
\n37.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		1
\n12.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Adoptive Benefit<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n2
\n100.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Treatment Benefits<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n1
\n100.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Partial Capacity Benefit<\/td>\n15
\n33.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		1
\n2.2%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a011
\n24.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		14
\n31.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		4
\n\u00a0 8.9%<\/em><\/td>\n		45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Disability Allowance<\/td>\n2,975
\n60.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a070
\n1.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		563
\n11.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		1,211
\n24.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0115
\n2.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		4,934<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Blind Pension<\/td>\n1
\n6.7%<\/em><\/td>\n		1
\n6.7%<\/em><\/td>\n		3
\n20.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		7
\n46.7%<\/em><\/td>\n		3
\n20.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Carer\u2019s Allowance<\/td>\n1,204
\n35.2%<\/em><\/td>\n		161
\n4.7%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 780
\n22.8%<\/em><\/td>\n		1,199
\n35.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		72
\n2.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		3,416<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Domiciliary Care Allowance<\/td>\n297
\n37.1%<\/td>\n		10
\n1.2%<\/em><\/td>\n		343
\n42.8%<\/em><\/td>\n		135
\n16.9%<\/em><\/td>\n		16
\n2.0%<\/td>\n		801<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Carer\u2019s Support Grant<\/td>\n35
\n22.6%<\/em><\/td>\n		2
\n1.3%<\/td>\n		45
\n29.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a072
\n46.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		1
\n0.6%<\/em><\/td>\n		155<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Illness Benefit<\/td>\n118
\n23.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a08
\n1.6%<\/em><\/td>\n		140
\n27.2%<\/em><\/td>\n		189
\n36.8%<\/em><\/td>\n		59
\n11.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 514<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Injury Benefit<\/td>\n3
\n7.9%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n2
\n5.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		27
\n71.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		6
\n15.8%<\/em><\/td>\n		38<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Invalidity Pension<\/td>\n\u00a0 365
\n27.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		7
\n0.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 691
\n51.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 262
\n19.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		23
\n1.7%<\/em><\/td>\n		1,348<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Disablement Benefit<\/td>\n86
\n34.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		19
\n7.6%<\/em><\/td>\n		30
\n12.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		109
\n43.6%<\/em><\/td>\n		6
\n2.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		250<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Incapacity Supplement<\/td>\n\u00a03
\n\u00a030.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a01
\n\u00a010.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		3
\n\u00a030.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		3
\n\u00a030.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Medical Care<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n1
\n50.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		1
\n50.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Carer\u2019s Benefit<\/td>\n23
\n22.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		2
\n1.9%<\/em><\/td>\n		39
\n37.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		37
\n35.6%<\/em><\/td>\n		3
\n2.9%<\/em><\/td>\n		104<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Child Benefit<\/td>\n\u00a068
\n15.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		23
\n5.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		154
\n35.2%<\/em><\/td>\n		178
\n40.6%<\/em><\/td>\n		15
\n3.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		438<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Family Income Supplement<\/td>\n76
\n15.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		15
\n3.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		267
\n53.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		130
\n25.8%<\/em><\/td>\n		15
\n3.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		503<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Back To Work Family Dividend<\/td>\n\u00a07
\n\u00a017.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n\u00a0 4
\n9.8%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a025
\n61.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a05
\n\u00a012.2%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a041<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Guardian\u2019s Payment \u00a0 (Non-Contributory)<\/td>\n5
\n33.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		1
\n6.7%<\/em><\/td>\n		2
\n13.3%<\/td>\n		\u00a07
\n46.7%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Guardian\u2019s Payment \u00a0 (Contributory)<\/td>\n13
\n39.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		2
\n6.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a04
\n\u00a012.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		14
\n42.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n33<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Widowed Parent Grant<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n\u00a02
\n100.0%<\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Insurability<\/td>\n34
\n24.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		4
\n\u00a02.9%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a011
\n7.9%<\/em><\/td>\n		37
\n26.6%<\/em><\/td>\n		53
\n\u00a038.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		139<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Liable Relatives<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n4
\n23.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n\u00a011
\n64.7%<\/em><\/td>\n		2
\n\u00a011.8%<\/em><\/td>\n		17<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Recoverable Benefits & \u00a0 Assistance<\/td>\n3
\n11.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n3
\n11.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a020
\n76.9%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n26<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TOTAL \u00a0APPEALS<\/strong><\/td>\n6,493
\n34.2%<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n		629
\n3.3%<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n		4,283
\n22.6%<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n		6,434
\n33.9%<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n		1,141
\n6.0%<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n		18,980
\n<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Outcome of Appeals by Category 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nAllowed
\nBy Appeals Officers<\/strong><\/td>\n		Partially Allowed By Appeals Officers<\/strong><\/td>\nRevised DO\/DP Decision<\/strong><\/td>\nDisallowed By
\nAppeals Officers<\/strong><\/td>\n		Withdrawn<\/strong><\/td>\nTotal<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
State Pension \u00a0 (Non-Contributory)<\/td>\n85
\n23.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		29
\n8.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		70
\n19.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0144
\n39.7%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 \u00a035
\n9.6%<\/em><\/td>\n		363<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
State Pension (Contributory)<\/td>\n35
\n9.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		9
\n2.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		64
\n17.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0244
\n66.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		15
\n4.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		367<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Widow\u2019s\/Widower\u2019s Pension \u00a0 (Contributory)<\/td>\n18
\n45.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n2
\n\u00a05.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		14
\n\u00a035.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		6
\n15.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		40<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Death Benefit<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n1
\n100.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bereavement Grant<\/td>\n\u00a0–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n\u00a0–<\/td>\n1
\n100.0% \u00a0 \u00a0<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n\u00a01<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jobseeker\u2019s Allowance – \u00a0 Payments<\/td>\n280
\n18.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a099
\n6.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		251
\n16.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 785
\n50.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		141
\n\u00a0 9.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		1,556<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jobseeker\u2019s Transitional<\/td>\n\u00a0 9
\n19.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 5
\n10.6%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 \u00a09
\n19.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 \u00a018
\n38.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 6
\n12.8%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 \u00a047<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jobseeker\u2019s Allowance -Means<\/td>\n150
\n10.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		83
\n5.8%<\/em><\/td>\n		194
\n13.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		836
\n58.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		176
\n\u00a012.2%<\/em><\/td>\n		1,439<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
One Parent Family Payment<\/td>\n\u00a047
\n20.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		13
\n5.7%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a046
\n20.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		83
\n36.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a041
\n17.8%<\/em><\/td>\n		230<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Widow\u2019s\/Widower\u2019s Pension \u00a0 (Non-Contributory)<\/td>\n4
\n23.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		2
\n\u00a011.8%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n10
\n58.8%<\/td>\n		1
\n5.9%<\/em><\/td>\n		17<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Deserted Wife\u2019s Allowance<\/td>\n1
\n100.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n\u00a0–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n\u00a01<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Supplementary Welfare \u00a0 Allowance<\/td>\n258
\n24.6%<\/td>\n		\u00a029
\n2.8%<\/td>\n		179
\n17.1%<\/td>\n		\u00a0 467
\n44.6%<\/td>\n		114
\n10.9%<\/em><\/td>\n		1,047<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Farm Assist<\/td>\n14
\n11.7%<\/em><\/td>\n		11
\n\u00a09.2%<\/em><\/td>\n		18
\n15.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a062
\n51.7%<\/em><\/td>\n		15
\n12.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		120<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pre-Retirement Allowance<\/td>\n1 \u00a0 \u00a050.0%<\/em><\/td>\n1
\n50.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jobseeker\u2019s Benefit<\/td>\n109
\n18.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		33
\n5.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		129
\n21.6%<\/em><\/td>\n		270
\n45.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		55
\n\u00a09.2%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 596<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Deserted Wife\u2019s Benefit<\/td>\n3
\n50.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n\u00a03
\n50.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maternity Benefit<\/td>\n\u00a0 6
\n11.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n13
\n24.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		34
\n63.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		1
\n1.9%<\/em><\/td>\n		54<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Paternity Benefit<\/td>\n1
\n\u00a06.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		1 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a06.3%<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n14
\n87.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Treatment Benefits<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2
\n100.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Partial Capacity Benefit<\/td>\n16
\n50.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		–<\/td>\n\u00a0 2
\n\u00a06.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		13
\n40.6%<\/em><\/td>\n		1
\n\u00a0 3.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		32<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Disability Allowance<\/td>\n3,112
\n62.2%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a099
\n2.0%<\/em><\/td>\n		462
\n\u00a09.2%<\/em><\/td>\n		1,256
\n25.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 77
\n1.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		5,006<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Blind Pension<\/td>\n2
\n14.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		2
\n14.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		3
\n21.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		6
\n42.9%<\/em><\/td>\n		1
\n\u00a07.1%<\/em><\/td>\n		14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Carer\u2019s Allowance<\/td>\n1,047
\n38.6%<\/em><\/td>\n		144
\n5.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0440
\n16.2%<\/em><\/td>\n		\u00a0 989
\n36.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		90
\n3.3%<\/em><\/td>\n		2,710<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Domiciliary Care Allowance<\/td>\n686
\n43.6%<\/td>\n		13
\n0.8%<\/em><\/td>\n		590
\n37.5%<\/em><\/td>\n		258
\n16.4%<\/em><\/td>\n		<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Social Democrats co-leader R\u00f3is\u00edn Shortall TD today branded the Social Welfare claim assessment process as a \u201cshambles\u201d. \u201cThe numbers speak for themselves, there is something very wrong with a system where so many cases are refused on application, then approved on appeal.” Social Democrats co-leader R\u00f3is\u00edn Shortall TD today branded the Social Welfare claim assessment […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,7,264],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-713","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general","category-press-release","category-roisin-shortall"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nR\u00f3is\u00edn Shortall brands Social Welfare claim assessment 'a shambles' - Social Democrats<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.socialdemocrats.ie\/roisin-shortall-brands-social-welfare-claim-assessment-a-shambles\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"ga_IE\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"R\u00f3is\u00edn Shortall brands Social Welfare claim assessment 'a shambles' - 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