Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2023
357. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) whose appeal has been pending since November 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44867/23]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered on the 25th January 2023. 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 papers were received on 24th April 2023 and the case was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 9th May 2023, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
The timeframe in which an appeal is processed can vary depending on the cases complexity, or if further clarification is required.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
