Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Limerick was refused an oral hearing on their application for mortgage interest supplement; if his Department took all of the family's circumstances into consideration when arriving at a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55900/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 28th August 2012.

The legislation provides that where an Appeals Officer is of the opinion that a case is of such a nature that it can properly be determined without a hearing, he or she may determine the appeal summarily. This course of action was taken in this case as, in the opinion of the Appeals Officer, an oral hearing was not 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.