Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 281: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal against a decision not to award disability allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; if she will grant an early oral hearing; the reason in the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35878/11]

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 received in that office on 18 October 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 15 November 2011 and the appeal will, in due course, be assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration. As part of this consideration, the Appeals Officer will decide if an oral hearing of the case is warranted.

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.