Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 September 2013
144. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when supplementary welfare payment will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40357/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who decided to hold an oral hearing of this case on 25 July 2013.
Prior to the hearing, Citizens Information Centre (CIC), Carlow, submitted a request for a copy of the file of the person concerned under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Acts, 1997 and 2003 and also requested an interpreter to attend the hearing. In view of the time constraints the oral hearing was postponed and re-scheduled for 11 September 2013.
CIC, Carlow, who are representing the person concerned, again contacted the Appeals Office and advised that they were not available to attend the hearing on the 11 September 2013 and requested the postponement of the hearing for an alternative date.
The Appeals Officer agreed to postpone the second scheduled hearing and it is intended to convene the oral hearing in late October 2013.
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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
