Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 December 2013
187. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan submitted in July 2013 has still not been reviewed in the carer's allowance section or sent to the appeals office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55136/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 2nd July 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 4th December 2013 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
