Michael Healy-Rae
Question:125. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a pension application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6148/21]
View answerThursday, 4 February 2021
Questions (125)
Written answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal in respect of the person concerned was registered by that Office on 25 June 2020. 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. The file papers were received from the Department on 30 October 2020 and the appeal was referred to an Appeals Officer on 3 November 2020.
The Appeals Officer in their consideration of the case has requested additional documentation which was sought by a letter issued on 1 February 2021 to both the person concerned and their representative. The Appeals Officer, on receipt of a reply to this correspondence, will consider it in relation to making a decision on the appeal as soon as possible.
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.