Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1062. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a disability allowance payment currently under appeal will be approved for a person (details supplied); if an oral hearing will be arranged for the applicant if necessary; and if she will expedite a positive outcome. [42159/22]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 14 June 2022. 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. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 4 July 2022 and the case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 8 July 2022.
The Appeals Officer will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.
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.
