Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1176: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was not called for an oral hearing; and the reason he was refused unemployment assistance. [2080/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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A claim for unemployment assistance (since renamed job seekers allowance) by the person concerned was disallowed by a Deciding Officer on the grounds that he was not genuinely seeking work and that he was not available for full-time employment. The person appealed this decision and an Appeals Officer made a summary decision disallowing the appeal. Summary decisions may be made where the Appeals Officer is of the opinion that a case is of such a nature that it can be properly determined on the basis of documentary evidence and without an oral hearing. 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.