I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the person concerned submitted additional information to the Appeals Office on 19 April 2022 following correspondence from that Office stating that their partial capacity benefit appeal would not be accepted because it was received outside the statutory 21 days time period.
Following consideration of this additional information a letter issued to the person concerned on 28 April 2022 confirming that a late appeal would not be accepted. The person concerned was advised that they may request a review from the Department of Social Protection of the Deciding Officer's decision at any stage.
I am also advised that should the person concerned be unhappy with the outcome of the Department's review they may then appeal that decision to the Appeals Office within 21 days of the issuing of the decision.
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.