Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
889. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection when the Social Welfare Appeals Office will make a decision on a domiciliary care allowance appeal (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16853/23]
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 appeal by the person concerned was registered on 7th December 2022. 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. Those papers were received in the Appeals Office on 30th March 2023 and the case was referred to an Appeals Officer on the 5th April 2023, 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.
