Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by an Appeals Officer in 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 appeal on foot of this additional evidence. Regrettably the Appeals Officer did not find any new facts or fresh evidence which warranted a revision of his earlier decision.

The person concerned has submitted further additional evidence and an Appeals Officer has agreed to review the case again. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of his appeal has been finalised.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.