Catherine Murphy
Question:348. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update directly to a person (details supplied) that has been waiting on a decision on an appeal. [44652/23]
View answerTuesday, 17 October 2023
Questions (348)
Written answers
The 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 on the 25th January 2023. 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 24th April 2023 and the case was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 9th May 2023, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
The timeframe in which an appeal is processed can vary depending on the cases complexity, or if further clarification is required.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.