Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
858. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal for invalidity pension will be expedited and approved in the case of a person (details supplied) based on the medical evidence provided. [13870/23]
View answerThe 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.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an invalidity pension appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 18 January 2023. 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 returned to the Appeals Office on 24 February 2023 and referred on 16 March 2023 to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
