Michael Ring
Question:425 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason incorrect information was given in a parliamentary question reply (details supplied). [36245/10]
View answerTuesday, 12 October 2010
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Written answers
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, as stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question reference number 32793/10, it is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. As part of this process in the case in question the Deciding Officer made a revised decision in favour of the appellant. This decision was registered on the Social Welfare Appeals Office recording system on 1 October 2010. The reply to the previous PQ was prepared on 20/9/10 at a time when the status of the case, as recorded on the appeals system, was that it was still with the line section.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.