Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 May 2014
103. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when jobseeker's allowance will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21874/14]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision which was communicated to the person concerned on 6th February 2014.
In his decision, the Appeals Officer concluded that the assessment of means from self-employment, which was based on accounts provided by the person concerned for the year ending December 2012, was correct. In making his decision, the Appeals Officer advised that it was open to the person concerned to provide up to date accounts to the Department that may indicate a decrease in his earnings from self-employment for the year ended December 2013. On receipt of this information his means assessment could be reviewed by the Department.
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.
