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Social Welfare Appeals

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 March 2021

Wednesday, 10 March 2021

Questions (569)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

569. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if the withdrawal of a disability allowance from a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12642/21]

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Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 20 October 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 25 November 2020 and the case was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 3 December 2020.

The Appeals Officer made a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented and the appeal was disallowed by decision dated 25 January 2021.

I am informed that the person concerned contacted the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 11 February 2021 requesting a review of the appeal decision under section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 and subsequently provided new medical evidence on 17 February 2021. The file was requested back from the Department and returned to the Appeals Officer for review on 23 February 2021. The person concerned will be advised of the result of this review in the near future.

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.

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