Niamh Smyth
Ceist:1074. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review an appeal for a person (details supplied) and urgently expedite same. [42314/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 8 September 2022
Ceisteanna (1074)
Freagraí scríofa
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 am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, the Appeals Officer disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision on 23 March 2022.
Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. I am advised that the person concerned subsequently submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer agreed to review the person concerned appeal on foot of this additional evidence. The Appeals Officer did not find any new facts or fresh evidence which warranted a revision of his earlier decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 7 June 2022.
Following this the person concerned submitted more evidence and the Appeals Officer again agreed to undertake a review. The Appeals Officer did not find any new facts or fresh evidence which warranted a revision of the original decision and the person concerned was notified of this on 29 July 2022.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.