Michael Ring
Ceist:485 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the outcome of an oral hearing for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and when this person can expect unemployment assistance to be restored. [21486/02]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Appeals.
The person concerned, whose claim for unemployment benefit was disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that she was not available for or genuinely seeking work, appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and an appeals officer upheld the deciding officer's decision. The appeals officer's decision issued to the person concerned on 23 October 2002. An appeals officer's decision is final in the absence of new facts or fresh evidence.
Under social welfare legislation, decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in such decisions.