Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
664. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41721/21]
View answerAn application for jobseeker's allowance by the person concerned was disallowed by a Deciding Officer of the Department on 10 February 2020. In the normal course, an appeal against the decision of a Deciding Officer must be made within 21 days of a decision being notified. I am informed that the person concerned did not submit an appeal within that timeframe and that no appeal from the person concerned was received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office until 14 July 2020.
Appeals received outside of the 21 day time limit may be accepted at the discretion of the Chief Appeals Officer.
In view of the length of time which elapsed between when the person concerned was notified of the decision and their submitting an appeal, the absence of any explanation, to date, for the failure to submit an appeal within the prescribed timeframe and their failure to submit grounds of appeal, I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal was not registered in this case.
Following receipt of PQ 38216/20 from the Deputy in November 2020, I am informed that the Appeals Office sought the grounds of appeal and an explanation for the failure to submit an appeal within the prescribed timeframe on 23 November 2020. This information was never received by that Office and therefore again an appeal was not registered in this case.
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.
