Social Welfare Appeals

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 May 2012

Thursday, 24 May 2012

Questions (110)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

111 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 was refused disability allowance, being told that they could not receive it as they were not on jobseeker’s allowance, and when they applied for jobseeker’s allowance were told they were too ill and therefore not available for work; and if the disability allowance file will be reviewed to ensure they will receive some sort of payment. [26032/12]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton)

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned in relation to his disability allowance case was registered in that office on 24th 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. These papers have now been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, 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.