Disability Allowance Appeals

Wednesday, 18 June 2014

Questions (81)

Clare Daly

Question:

81. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Sligo submitted an appeal to the chief appeals officer in respect of a decision to disallow their disability allowance; if it has been drawn to her attention that in a letter to the chief appeals officer dated 26 February 2014 the person requested an oral hearing of the case and asked to be provided in advance of the hearing with copies of all documentation on their case in the possession of her Department; if it has been drawn to her attention that the person has been informed that the oral hearing of the appeal is to take place at 12.15.p.m. on Thursday 19 June 2014; if it has been drawn to her attention that the Department has not provided the person with any of the documentation on their case which is in the possession of her Department; if her Department will defer the oral hearing of the case until such time as the requested documentation is provided to the person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26235/14]

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Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the person concerned's request for copies of all documentation in their case in advance of the oral hearing was overlooked. The Social Welfare Appeals Office apologises sincerely for this fact. Copies of all the documentation requested will be sent to the person concerned expediently. The Social Welfare Appeals Office have agreed to defer the oral hearing in this case and re-schedule one for the week beginning 7 or 14 July 2014. The person concerned will be notified of the arrangements imminently.

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 on social welfare entitlements.