Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 June 2023
239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal against a decision to refuse the invalidity pension will be allowed in the case of a person (details supplied), having regard to the fact they have had no income for 20 weeks and are now in a very serious family situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26980/23]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 8 February 2023. 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 20 February 2023 and referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The person concerned lodged a Freedom of Information request with the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 27 April 2023. This required that the appeal file be returned by the Appeals Officer to the relevant area of the Appeals Office to complete the FOI request. The FOI request was completed on 18 May 2023 and the appeal file was immediately returned to the Appeals Officer to finalise their considerations. The decision will issue as quickly as possible.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
