Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 January 2019
245. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an oral hearing will be heard for a domiciliary care allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4848/19]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a domiciliary care allowance appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on the 28th January 2019. 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 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 request for an oral hearing of this case will be brought to the attention of the Appeals Officer who is assigned this appeal.
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.
