Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
673. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware of the case of a 12-month wait for an appeals decision on a carer’s allowance application by a person (details supplied); the reasons for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35663/23]
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.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal by the person concerned was registered on the 20th October 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.
These papers were received on 17th November 2022 and the case assigned to an Appeals Officer, who, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 17th January 2023.
Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts, or where there has been a change of circumstances which has come to notice since the date of the Appeals Officer's original decision.
I am advised that the person concerned has submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer has agreed to review the case. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of the appeal has been finalised.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
