Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2019
246. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on a carer's support grant appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1915/19]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal was registered on the 17th October 2018 and, in accordance with the statutory requirements, the Appeals Office had contacted the appellant and asked her to set out the complete grounds of her appeal.
I am informed that these grounds of appeal were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 7th November 2018. 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 back 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 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.
