The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who decided to hold an oral hearing in this case on the 9th October 2018.
However, the Social Welfare Appeals Office was informed by the person concerned that she was unable to attend the hearing as she was going on holiday at that time. The Appeal Officer agreed to postpone the hearing.
The Appeals Officer dealing with this case has re-scheduled the oral hearing for the 6th February 2019. The person concerned will shortly be notified of the arrangements for the hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.