Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 April 2012
117 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will take steps to contact the social welfare appeals office with a view to expediting an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath against the refusal of an application for domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20810/12]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 12 January 2012. 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. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration as to whether the case may be decided on a summary basis or hold an 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.
