Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 January 2014
346. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will allow an appeal in respect of a refusal of an application for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2506/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 21 November 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.
