Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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357. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Waterford will be allowed to appeal their illness benefit application decision by way of oral hearing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22707/13]

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 has been notified of the Appeals Officer decision.

Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of new evidence or new facts. The legislation also provides that an Appeals Officer may decide a case before him/her on the basis of the documentary evidence available. This course of action was taken in this case as it was considered that 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.