The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the disability allowance appeal of the person concerned was assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration. However, following receipt of additional information the Appeals Officer referred the case to a Social Welfare Inspector for further investigation of the means of the person concerned.
Following these investigations the appeal is now back with the Appeals Officer who has decided to convene an oral hearing of this case.
Every effort will be made to hear the case as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be informed when arrangements for the oral hearing have been made.
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 hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.