Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
584. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will approve a child benefit application for a child (details supplied) given that information pertinent to a review of the original decision has not been forthcoming from the relevant agency. [52276/21]
View answerChild Benefit was awarded to the person concerned from the month after receipt of their application in February 2021. As per the governing legislation, backdating to an earlier date can be considered if evidence of good cause for the delay in applying can be shown. The deciding officer in this case, having considered all the evidence provided with the application, did not consider that backdating to an earlier date was warranted. This decision was appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO), with the deciding officer's decision being upheld.
If the person concerned has new evidence to support her request for backdating that has not previously been submitted, it is open to her to provide it and a deciding officer will review the case. Their decision on the review can then be further appealed to the SWAO if the person concerned is not satisfied with the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
