James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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86. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in having an oral hearing which was adjourned, rescheduled in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; the reason for the correspondence from her offices stating that it has been decided to hold an oral hearing, when in actual fact it is an adjournment of an oral hearing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24805/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who decided to hold an oral hearing in this case.

The Oral Hearing was scheduled to be heard on 19th February 2013. At the hearing the person concerned, through his solicitor, requested an adjournment of the hearing pending the receipt of his file which had been requested but not yet received. The request for an adjournment was granted.

The Appeals Officer subsequently returned the file to Social Welfare Appeals Office to deal with a Freedom of Information request dated the 5th April 2013. This information was provided to the solicitor of the person concerned on the 24th April 2013.

I have been advised that the case has now been re-listed for an oral hearing to be held as soon as possible and the appellant will be informed when arrangements have been made.

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.