Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 252: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason additional information provided in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare was not considered when refusing a jobseeker's allowance claim; the further reason information was not automatically sent to the appeals officer to assist them in deciding the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20704/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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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 16 April 2011. 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 in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 3 May 2011 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 received additional information which has also been referred to the Appeals Officer who will take this into consideration when deciding the case.

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.