Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 January 2021
507. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for an invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3905/21]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 17 December 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. Those papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 22 December 2020 and referred to an Appeals Officer on the same day.
The Appeals Officer 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.
