Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 January 2014
352. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 will be granted an oral hearing in relation to their appeal for domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2544/14]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 13 December 2013. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of new evidence or new facts.
I am also advised that the person concerned notified the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 2 January 2014 that she will submit additional medical evidence in support of her appeal. On receipt of same, the appeal will be referred to the Appeals Officer dealing with this case for further consideration and the request for an oral hearing will be noted. As part of this consideration the Appeals Officer will decide if an oral hearing of the case is warranted.
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.
