Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 9 December 2021

Public Accounts Committee

2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Chapter 9 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 10 - Management of Social Welfare Appeals
Chapter 11 - Controls Over the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

9:30 am

Mr. John McKeon:

I think that is the case. Routinely at the appeal stage, and again I am going to speak about the appeal process, appellants submit additional evidence that they have not provided to the Department. There is probably some anecdotal evidence that appellants feel the need to hold back some medical evidence, or any evidence, for the appeal process in order to have something at the appeal stage. Both the Department and I, in my role with the decisions advisory office, will work with the advocacy groups to ensure that people submit the information.