John McGuinness
Question:637. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal for carer’s allowance will be expedited in the name of persons (details supplied). [21232/21]
View answerWednesday, 28 April 2021
Questions (637)
Written answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered with that office on 24 February 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. These papers were received on 11 March 2020 and the appeal was referred to an Appeals Officer on 30 March 2020.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic in-person oral hearings were suspended in March 2020 for the safety of all. To assist in her consideration of the appeal, the Appeals Officer sought clarification from the Department on some aspects of the case in August 2020. The person concerned requested an oral hearing for himself and his wife, who also has an appeal, as she has disabilities and is non-verbal. The Appeals Office offered to hold an oral hearing via telephone before Christmas 2020 but the person concerned declined this facility as they hoped to have a face-to-face hearing in the near future.
Given the continuing level of Covid-19 restrictions the person concerned ultimately agreed to an oral hearing via telephone. I understand that the Deputy attended this hearing which was held on 11 February 2021. During the course of the hearing the person concerned agreed to submit further evidence. The Appeals Officer has received this evidence and is currently considering this and all the other evidence related to the appeal. It is envisaged that a decision will issue 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.