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Disability Allowance Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 6 September 2019

Friday, 6 September 2019

Questions (1805, 1847)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1805. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if additional time to gather medical evidence will be granted to a person (details supplied). [35165/19]

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Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1847. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a matter will be addressed regarding a disability allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35691/19]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1805 and 1847 together.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 21 June 2019. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments of (or on behalf of) the Deciding Officer on the grounds of the appeal be sought from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. These papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 15 July 2019 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the person concerned should submit any new evidence he may have in support of his disability allowance application as soon as he receives it. The appeals system is flexible and fair, allowing for further information to be submitted by the appellant up to and including the oral hearing, if the Appeals Officer decides that an oral hearing is appropriate in the case. Any new evidence obtained by the person concerned will be considered by the Appeals Officer.

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.

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