Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 November 2013
103. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an appeal for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied); and if this person's file has been forwarded to the appeals office and the date when this occurred. [48792/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 30 August 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these have been received from the Department, the case in question 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 appeal 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
