Kathleen Funchion
Question:744. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an invalidity appeal (details supplied) is taking so long to obtain an answer [13990/24]
View answerTuesday, 9 April 2024
Questions (744)
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.
As was confirmed in PQ Ref: 42106/23 an appeal on behalf of the person concerned was received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 11 July 2023. However, as the 21 days allowed for making such an appeal had lapsed, the SWAO confirmed to the person concerned that they would not allow a late appeal application. A letter outlining this issued to the person concerned on 26 September 2023.
The application was subsequently accepted and an appeal by the person concerned was registered on the 8th February 2024. 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 have now been received and the case was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 23rd February 2024, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.