Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2022
303. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 362 of 14 September 2022, if she will advise on the matter considering that her attention has been drawn to the fact that clarification was not sought from her Department regarding the situation referenced (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46870/22]
View answer325. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the action that she has taken to rectify the erroneous information put to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Welfare in December 2019; and the action that she has taken in relation to the repetition of the erroneous information by the Secretary General of the Department at the Public Accounts Committee in 2021 (details supplied). [47057/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 303 and 325 together.
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 understand that under the procedures adopted by the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) in relation to a complaint, the respondent is notified of the fact that a complaint about them has been received by the Commission.
As stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 262 of 14 September 2022, I am advised by my officials that neither the Chief Appeals Officer nor the Department have ever been contacted by SIPO in relation to any such complaint and nor have they been advised of any such ruling.
I am further advised that the information provided by the Secretary General at the Public Accounts Committee in relation to classification of employment for PRSI purposes was, and remains, correct.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
