Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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305. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an oral hearing in respect of a jobseeker's allowance appeal will be rescheduled in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who did not receive notification of same; if supplementary welfare will be reinstated in the interim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39306/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised that two oral hearings were scheduled in this case on 24 June 2013 and 9 September 2013 respectively. The person concerned was notified in advance of both oral hearings by post to the address supplied by both himself and the Deputy, but failed to attend on both dates.

In light of the failure of the person concerned to attend the oral hearings, the Appeals Officer decided the appeal on a summary basis taking account of the documentary evidence before him. In the circumstances, the Social Welfare Appeals Office does not propose to reschedule a third oral hearing in this case.

Any new application for supplementary welfare allowance from the person concerned should be made to the office of his local Community Welfare Service.

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.