The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 4 April 2012. 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. When received, the appeal in question will be referred in due course to an Appeals Officer for consideration and the appeal has been assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration on whether to decide the case on a summary basis or hold an oral hearing. 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.