Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 289: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the appeals process will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48041/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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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 25 August 2010. 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. These papers were received back in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 23 September 2010 and the appeal has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing.

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.