Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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226. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a social welfare appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, if it will be expedited owing to the financial difficulties the applicant is in; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21401/13]

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 28th February 2013. 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 7th March 2013 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.