Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2012
342 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a final decision on the application for disability allowance will be made in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will provide an explanation for the delay. [4983/12]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 15 June 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 9 November 2011 and the appeal was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 22 November 2011 who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing. 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.
