Niamh Smyth
Ceist:459. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the invalidity review of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27480/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 31 May 2022
Ceisteanna (459)
Freagraí scríofa
The person concerned applied for invalidity pension in an application received by the Department of Social Protection on 3 August 2021. The application was disallowed on 9 September 2021.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the person concerned appealed this decision to that Office on 9 November 2021. The appeal was disallowed by way of a decision of an Appeals Officer on 22 March 2022
On 29 April 2022 new medical evidence was received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office from the person concerned in support of their appeal. Section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005 provides that an Appeals Officer may revise any decision of an Appeals Officer where it appears to him or her that the decision was erroneous in the light of new evidence or new facts which have been brought to his or her notice since the date on which the decision was given. In this regard, an Appeals Officer is currently examining the new evidence in order to decide if a revision of the decision of 22 March 2022 is appropriate. The person concerned will be advised of the outcome of the appeal as soon as possible.
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.