Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 April 2014
308. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for a social welfare appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath, as same has been submitted a number of months ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18748/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on the 3rd March 2014. 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 the 14th March 2014 and the case was referred to an Appeals Officer on the 17th April 2014 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.
