Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 565: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an oral hearing on an application for an invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18378/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 13th April 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred in due course to an Appeals Officer for consideration. As part of this consideration the Appeals Officer will decide if an oral hearing of the case is warranted.

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 on social welfare entitlements.

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 566: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal will be processed by the appeals officer in relation to a maternity benefit claim in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18387/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence has partially allowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer decision on 12th December 2012.

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 on social welfare entitlements.