The 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 in that office on 8 March 2024. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 11 March 2024.
The case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 8 April 2024, who will in due course make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.
If the Appeals Officer decides that an oral hearing is required, the person concerned will be notified of a time and place, either in-person or by digital means.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.