The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal was registered in that office on 23rd January 2012 and the person concerned was asked to submit her grounds of appeal. These were received on 7th March 2012 and in accordance with the statutory requirement of the appeals process the Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal were requested. When received, the appeal in question will be referred in due course to an Appeals Officer for consideration.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.