The Deputy will be aware that in order to qualify for a jobseekers allowance payment a person must satisfy a number of qualifying conditions.
The person concerned was refused jobseeker’s allowance by a Deciding Officer of the Department on the grounds that he did not satisfy the habitual residence condition.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having considered all the available evidence including that adduced at oral hearing and evidence submitted to the Appeals Officer following the oral hearing, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned.
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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.