The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 24 June 2020. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These have been received and the appeal by the person concerned was referred on 23 July 2020 to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required and if possible in the context of Covid-19 restrictions, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.