Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 January 2014
382. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will approve and expedite an appeal for jobseeker's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1408/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 13 November 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 18 November 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. In order to be fair to all appellants, appeals are assigned to appeals officer and are dealt with in chronological order.
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.
