Bijou, time is correct in the waiting period involved. but a sure way to shorten this is to contact your local TD with your enquiry, and ask the TD to enuire of your application re parlimentary question...of the Social protection minister Joan Burton. failing that u can email the ministers office direct. guaranteed you will be acknowledged and she will ask why so long a delay on your behalf. as the dept now claim a maxium of 17 weeks waiting period on applications, but as time pointed out appeals are over a year in being dealt with ? good luck