Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 October 2023
144. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the appeals officer received and reviewed a report (details supplied) before they made a decision on a disability allowance appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44276/23]
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 Appeals Officer decided to disallow the Disability Allowance appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 11 September 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.
In light of the evidence submitted by the Deputy the Department has been requested to return the file to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. On receipt of this file, the Appeals Officer will review the case. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of her appeal has been finalised.
