Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 402: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an oral hearing will be scheduled in respect of an unemployment assistance appeal for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [20425/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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A claim for unemployment assistance by the person concerned was disallowed by the Deciding Officer on the grounds that he is not genuinely seeking employment. The person appealed against this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and in accordance with the statutory requirements the relevant departmental papers and comments of my Department were sought. These are now to hand and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing. The person will be informed as soon as the arrangements for the hearing are in place. Under Social Welfare Legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by Deciding Officers and Appeals Officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.