Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 437: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal against a decision not to award invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; if she will grant an early oral hearing; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20387/12]

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 4 April 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred in due course to an Appeals Officer for consideration and the appeal has been assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration on whether to decide the case on a summary basis or hold an 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.