Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021
585. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a jobseeker’s benefit review in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1611/21]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 26 November 2020. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 10 December 2020. The case was referred on 11 December 2020 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 hearing. Hearings are currently being conducted online or by telephone. Due to the current level of Covid-19 restrictions, in-person oral appeal hearings have been suspended.
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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
