Emmet Stagg
Question:399. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in determining an appeal for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [8064/14]
View answerTuesday, 18 February 2014
Questions (399)
Written answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 17 January 2014. 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 papers 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.