Regarding the delays observed in the review of objections and hierarchical appeals by the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare against decisions of the Welfare Benefits Administration Service (YDEP), the Commissioner for Administration and Protection of Human Rights, Maria Stylianou-Lottidi, addresses the issue again in her latest report, noting that the problems do not appear to be isolated or incidental, but rather indicate the existence of serious, long-standing, and systemic weaknesses in the way the Deputy Ministry is organized and operates.

He emphasizes the need to take substantive and structural administrative measures to ensure more effective management of pending cases, prompt responses to citizens, and the prevention of the entrenchment of practices that are inconsistent with the requirements of good governance.

In the Report, the Commissioner notes that, despite the fact that the observed problem was the subject of a related Report by her Office, dated May 29, 2024, which was submitted to the then Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, with clear recommendations regarding the need to take administrative measures to expedite the review of objections and appeals and to improve the response to citizens, her Office continues to receive a significant number of complaints with identical content, a fact that demonstrates that the identified malfunctions persist.

It should be noted that the delays observed in the review of objections/hierarchical appeals by the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare are particularly extensive, as in one case the objection/hierarchical appeal has been pending for more than three years, in six cases for a period of approximately one and a half years, in seven cases for a period of approximately one year, and in one case for a period of eight months. It should also be noted that, from time to time, other complaints raising the same issue have been submitted, which have already been resolved or settled during their investigation by officials of her Office.

In her findings, she states that “the complaints received by my Office indicate that the delays are not limited to isolated cases, but are recurring in a significant number of cases involving benefits such as the Guaranteed Minimum Income, the Low-Income Pensioner’s Allowance, the Emergency Allowance, the Child Allowance, and the Single-Parent Family Allowance.”

In many cases, the Commissioner emphasizes, affected citizens have been waiting for a response or the completion of the review of their appeal or administrative appeal for more than a year, while there continue to be cases in which the pending period extends beyond two or even three years.

These delays are inconsistent with the provisions of current legislation, he continues.

The prolonged delay, he notes, in the completion of the administrative procedure effectively nullifies the purpose for which the legislature provided for the granting of these benefits and undermines the effectiveness of the social protection system.

The Commissioner emphasizes that “the fact that, despite my Office’s previous intervention, similar cases of delays and malfunctions continue to be reported demonstrates that the problems are not isolated or incidental, but rather indicate the existence of serious, long-standing, and systemic weaknesses in the way the Deputy Ministry is organized and operates.”

Therefore, he adds, it is necessary to once again emphasize the need to take substantive and structural administrative measures to ensure more effective management of pending cases, prompt responses to citizens, and the prevention of the entrenchment of practices that are inconsistent with the requirements of good governance.

The Commissioner recommends establishing an advisory group of officials /experts selected either for their legal training or for their expertise gained through long-term involvement with the applications /requests from those under administration, which will conduct a substantive review on behalf of the Deputy Minister and under her authorization within the required timeframe.

As stated, upon completion of this new review, this advisory group will proceed to submit a final recommendation to the Deputy Minister, who will have the final say on any decision.

It notes that in cases where objective reasons prevent the review from being completed within the prescribed or reasonable time limits, the affected citizens must be promptly informed of the reasons for the delay, the current status of their case, and the estimated time for completion of the process.

This report is submitted to the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare.

Source: CNA