Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2023
113. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the ‘SW56 Introduction to Social Welfare Appeals Office’ information leaflet is no longer sent to appellants to the Social Welfare Appeals Office when their appeals are registered or available on the Social Welfare Appeals Office’s website. [15193/23]
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.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the SW56 "Introduction to Social Welfare Appeals Office" information leaflet that was previously provided to appellants dates from 2019 and some of its content is now outdated.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office website www.gov.ie/swao provides full and up to date information in relation to social welfare appeals. When the appellant's appeal has been registered by the Appeals Office they are sent an acknowledgment letter which refers them to the website.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office also provides information to appellants via its phone service (0818 74 74 34), its email address; swappeals@welfare.ie and via postal correspondence.
The matter of providing an updated hard copy information leaflet is being kept under review by the Appeals Office at this stage.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
