Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Waterford on bail and with no means, awaiting a court trial is entitled to any benefit from her department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48171/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a Supplementary Welfare Allowance appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 1st October 2012. 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 9th October and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, 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.